Lakers News: LA Officially Announces Jarred Vanderbilt Extension
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt and The Los Angeles Lakers have officially agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract extension that will begin in the 2024-25 season. The deal is fully-guaranteed with a player option for the final year according to reports.
Vanderbilt was part of the trade package that sent Russell Westbrook to the Clippers. The 24-year-old out of Kentucky averaged 7.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. Vanderbilt's defense played a key role in the Lakers' Western Conference Finals run.
What Vanderbilt lacks in offensive explosiveness, he makes up for with his ability to defend a wide range of athletes. He will likely contend for a spot in the starting five with Rui Hachimura, who the Lakers signed to a three-year contract worth $51 million after the 2023 season.
Vanderbilt missed the first 17 games of his only season at Kentucky with a foot injury. He proceeded to average just 17 minutes per game while grabbing 7.9 rebounds and scoring 5.9 points on average.
The Lakers will look to build on last year's performance as Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell will round out the starting five.
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