Vanderbilt was a late scratch from the Lakers’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 5, and he has not played since. The Lakers have not provided an update on his status, but he has been spotted in a walking boot. The Lakers signed Vanderbilt to a two-year, $5.6 million contract in the offseason. He averaged 7.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game last season with the
But the team is being cautious with the 6-foot-10 forward, who has been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in the 2019 NBA playoffs.
The Lakers are expected to be without Davis for the first two preseason games, which begin on Saturday against the Clippers at Staples Center. The team will then play the Golden State Warriors on Monday in San Francisco and the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in Sacramento.
Davis is expected to play in the Lakers’ final preseason game on Oct.
He was a member of the 2023 All-NBA Defensive Second Team.
The Lakers have been busy in free agency this offseason, signing Russell Westbrook to a three-year, $207 million contract and Trevor Ariza to a two-year, $10 million deal. They also re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year, $40 million contract and Talen Horton-T
The Lakers are the fourth NBA team for the University of Kentucky product, in addition to the Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves and Nuggets. His new four-year, $48 million extension was one of several offseason transactions made by the Lakers. That included re-signing Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura and adding Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood.
The deep and talented roster led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis has the Lakers among the contenders for the NBA championship again this season. The 38-year-old superstar reportedly is “extra engaged” so far, especially as a leader, and the 30-year-old supporting standout is looking to add to his own offensive contributions.
With Reaves thought to be on the verge of a breakout season, and Russell vowing to pick up his play on the defensive end, the Lakers are heading into this season with a great deal of focus and optimism.
After the game against the Warriors, they will have two preseason games remaining, at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday and the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
That will lead them into the much anticipated season opener against the Nuggets, who swept them to win the conference finals on their way to capturing their first NBA championship. Not only will the Lakers be looking for a small piece of revenge, but they will get their first chance to respond to the Nuggets’ chirping after winning that title.
Vanderbilt will no doubt want to be able to participate on what is sure to be an exciting night.