Suns Rival Watch: Lakers Sign Jarred Vanderbilt to New Deal

If Phoenix Suns fans were hoping for changes within the Los Angeles Lakers, that's not exactly the plan in Hollywood.

The Athletic's Shams Charania is reporting the Lakers have inked Jarred Vanderbilt to a four-year, $48 million contract extension. Vanderbilt was acquired at last year's trade deadline.

His deal is fully guaranteed with a player option in the final year.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has agreed on a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the franchise, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Erika Ruiz told @TheAthletic @Stadium. Deal is fully guaranteed with a player option in the fourth year. pic.twitter.com/4kuLlt8zeT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 15, 2023

Vanderbilt was an essential part of LA's run to the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets, who also defeated Phoenix on their way to the title. He started all but one of LA's postseason games. and averaged 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 26 games after landing with the team.

He is just 24-years-old.

The Suns have added plenty of their own talent over the course of the last few months, notably major names such as Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal both arriving via the trade market.

Yet the Lakers have been awfully active themselves, and now enter the 2023-24 season with a lineup that features LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell among other names. Christian Wood also recently joined LA.

The Suns will feature against the Lakers for LA's home opener on Oct. 26, which should be the first time LeBron-KD face each other since 2018.

It figures to be a tough Pacific division with Phoenix, Los Angeles (both Lakers and Clippers) Golden State and Sacramento all making the postseason last year.