Ex-Lakers Guard Advised Jarred Vanderbilt Not to Sign Extension with LA
Just like any other business, the NBA is one that when a player believes they are performing well in a good environment, they look for long-term job security. We have seen so many teams trade away notable players at the height of their careers so they can make the most of their value as well.
Your Los Angeles Lakers handed out a number of multi-year deals in the 2023 offseason after it was clear that they had put together one of their most versatile groups in the past couple of years. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt all landed new contracts with the franchise worth four years or more.
Vanderbilt's extension was the most recent one and even though certain experts believe it may have been a slight overpay, he played a key role in helping LA get to the playoffs last season and also took on a number of challenging defensive assignments.
However, former Lakers guard Patrick Beverley revealed recently that he actually texted Vanderbilt on the morning of his extension signing and told him not to agree to it.
"Thursday at 8:18 am," said Beverley. "I told him don't sign an extension, trust me. Hoop, stay in shape and I repeat, do not sign an extension. If he would have waited, he could have got four years, $65 million."
(Via Pat Bev Podcast)
One of the biggest question marks surrounding Vanderbilt in terms of his overall value was whether or not he would be able to blossom into a solid threat from deep. In fact, most Lakers fans believe that all he needs to focus on is hitting shots from the corner.
Beverley was doing his best to explain to Vando that if he accomplished this, there was more money to be made. However, the 24-year-old is aware that LA is always looking to improve their roster and if he remained on an expiring deal, he would've been that much easier to throw in a trade package.
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