Lakers News: How Jarred Vanderbilt Feels About Being Traded Twice By Same GM
Newly-extended Los Angeles Lakers power forward Jarred Vanderbilt seems to be in a sharing mood of late.
Since inking a new four-year, $48 million contract extension to stick with LA long-term, the defensive-oriented big man seems to be in a somewhat reflective state of mind.
During an interview with Theo Pinson and AJ Richardson of Tidal League's "Run Your Race" podcast, Vanderbilt got candid about how he felt to be traded away from two franchises by the same team president, Tim Connelly.
"I thought for sure we were going to at least run it back [with the Minnesota Timberwolves following a fun first round playoff exit in 2022] at least once, but at that time... we had [gotten] a new president/GM, [the] same one that came from Denver," Vanderbilt said. "So he actually traded me both time. He traded me to Minnesota, then he got to Minnesota, traded me again to [the Jazz]. I'm like, 'Damn.'"
It's a cold world out there.
Still just 24 and on the cusp of his sixth NBA season, the 6'9" Kentucky product has already logged time with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz and now the Lakers.
Across 26 regular season games with LA (24 starts), Vanderbilt averaged 7.2 games on 52.9% shooting, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals a night, but he saw those numbers take a dive when he seemed to lose confidence in his shooting during the postseason. He remained an effective defender, though, and was frequently matched up with the opposing club's rival guards in matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
Vanderbilt became borderline unplayable, however, against the jumbo-sized Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
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