The Lakers dropped their second straight preseason game, losing 111-103 to the Warriors despite a strong fourth-quarter push. Three Lakers really caught attention—Deandre Ayton, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent. And if you ask head coach JJ Redick, it’s Vanderbilt that’s becoming the real problem for opponents. Redick’s message was clear: the Lakers better keep an eye on him.

In a special request, Redick made it clear in his postgame remarks. “I’ve been very impressed by just the amount of work that he’s done this summer on his game, and obviously his body is significantly better than this time- last year or even, you know, when the season ended. He’s moving better, his handle is tighter. I’d never seen him make a Euro D-Cell uh finish before. You know, it’s good — he’s been working on his game, and the shot is sort of the big thing with him. If he can be a consistent three-point shooter for us, that unlocks a lot.”

The Lakers didn’t have their full squad on Sunday with LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and others out but Jarred Vanderbilt made sure their fight didn’t fade. In just 21 minutes, he was all over the floor, putting up 9 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

Whether it was locking in on Steph Curry early, diving for loose balls, or draining a corner three, Vando showed the kind of hustle that doesn’t always show on the scoreboard.

For someone who’s battled injuries over the past few seasons, this version of Vanderbilt feels fresh and confident. His activity on both ends is giving the Lakers something they badly need: defensive grit. After ranking just 17th in defense last season, LA might have found a key anchor in Vando if he keeps this up.

Jarred Vanderbilt’s numbers tell a quiet story- one of grit, versatility, and defensive impact. During his time with the Lakers, the advanced stats consistently backed up what fans could see with the naked eye: whenever Vanderbilt stepped on the court, the defense got better.

In the 2022–23 season, he posted a Defensive Box Plus-Minus of 1.9, a mark that immediately signaled his value as a stopper. Even as injuries and limited minutes affected his next two seasons, his DBPM held steady at 1.3 in both 2023–24 and 2024–25 – proof of steady, reliable defensive influence. His Defensive Win Shares, clocking in at 0.9 and 0.8 across those seasons, further underscored his consistency on that end of the floor.

No, the numbers don’t scream “elite,” but that’s never been the point with Vanderbilt. His value lies in the intangibles- the relentless energy, the ability to guard across multiple positions, and the knack for doing the dirty work that doesn’t always show up in box scores. Within the Lakers’ defensive schemes, he became one of those glue guys every contender needs- the kind of player who makes everyone else’s job easier.

Vanderbilt has always been known as a defensive force and a solid rebounder for the Lakers, but scoring hasn’t been his strong suit. At times, his offensive game has felt like a “black hole,” especially from beyond the arc. He’s made just 29.3% of his three-pointers in over two seasons with the team. That limitation has sometimes kept his minutes down, even in crucial playoff moments.

This offseason, however, Vanderbilt finally had a healthy summer without any injury setbacks. That gave him the chance to focus on improving his game, particularly his three-point shot.

“It’s definitely grown over the years… this summer I was able to put in a lot of reps. I wasn’t rehabbing, I was able to just work out normally,” he said during Media Day. “Obviously we have a lot of great playmakers on this team, so a lot of corner shots, a lot of three-point shots will be available. For me, it’s very important just being ready to take and make those shots.”

If Vanderbilt can consistently shoot, he could finally be a true 3-and-D player—the kind of versatile two-way talent the Lakers desperately need to help spread the floor for stars like LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves. With his defensive skills already elite, adding a reliable three-point shot could make him a key piece for LA, giving the team both a stopper and a shooter. 

JJ Redick is open to change the lineup

After the game, JJ Redick was also asked about Jarred Vanderbilt potentially cracking the Lakers’ starting lineup this season. The coach didn’t shy away from being flexible.

“We started 24 lineups last year,” he said. “The team that started or the lineup that started the season for us started eight games together, and we made a change, so I’m of course open to things, of course, and like I said, everything’s going to have to be earned.” Redick’s meant that if players like Vanderbilt put in the work and show consistency, spots are up for grabs.

Vanderbilt will need a string of strong performances to secure a starting role, and the Lakers will likely manage his minutes carefully at first, given his injury history. Meanwhile, the Warriors showed their own strategic depth, sticking with a familiar lineup featuring Curry, Podziemski, Moody, Butler and Green.

Steve Kerr made it clear that even with Green at center, the team plans to rotate other big men like Al Horford and Trayce Jackson-Davis to balance minutes and keep everyone fresh. Horford and Quinten Post, both strong shooters, help space the floor, while Green can still handle tough matchups down low.

On the Lakers’ side, Gabe Vincent is also making adjustments to his game, shifting into more off-the-ball scoring and learning to pace himself with fewer shot attempts. Redick loves his energy and natural movement on the court, but acknowledges it’ll take time for him to find rhythm with just six or seven shots per game.

Both Vanderbilt and Vincent are evolving their games, and Redick’s openness to lineup changes shows that hard work and consistency could quickly pay off. Therefore, the Lakers’ rotation is far from fixed, and opportunities are there for those ready to seize them.