• LeBron James says the Lakers “need” Jarred Vanderbilt for his athleticism and multi-position defense.
• Vanderbilt has regained a rotation spot after strong December defense and 10-for-19 3-point shooting.
• A late fourth-quarter 3 vs. the Grizzlies highlighted his improved shooting and earned coach trust.
• LeBron’s public endorsement makes it likely Vanderbilt stays in the lineup despite offensive limits.
H2: Vanderbilt’s path back into the Lakers rotation
Early this season Jarred Vanderbilt found himself on the outside looking in. Head coach JJ Redick initially prioritized players who could produce more consistently on offense, leaving Vanderbilt with limited minutes. After the Lakers stumbled — dropping three of five games in early December — Redick gave Vanderbilt another opportunity, and Vando seized it.
H3: Defense first, but the 3-point shot arrived
Vanderbilt’s primary value has always been his defense: elite athleticism, the ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing lineups. But what flipped the needle was his sudden effectiveness from long range. In December he went 10-for-19 from beyond the arc, a stretch that changed how opponents defended him and how the Lakers used him late in games.
Against the Memphis Grizzlies, Vanderbilt drilled a key fourth-quarter 3 that helped seal the win. That shot was a visible sign of his progress and a reason LeBron singled him out after the game.
H4: LeBron’s case for Vando
After the win over Memphis, LeBron James made a clear case for why Vanderbilt belongs in the rotation. “I mean, obviously, we need his athleticism,” LeBron said, noting Vanderbilt’s ability to guard multiple positions. He added that the team also “need[s] him to knock down a corner shot occasionally,” pointing out that opponents have sometimes “disrespected” Vanderbilt by not contesting his looks.
LeBron praised Vanderbilt’s work ethic — showing up in practice and continuing to shoot even after misses — and called his late three in Memphis a “big time three.” When a team leader like LeBron publicly vouches for a player, it tends to have immediate lineup implications.
H5: What Vanderbilt brings — and the remaining questions
The core decision for the Lakers has been weighing Vanderbilt’s defensive upside against his offensive limitations. If he can consistently convert open looks, particularly from the corner, his defensive impact becomes even more valuable. At present, Vanderbilt may not solve every Lakers issue, but he provides a matchup advantage and floor spacing when he’s hitting open shots.
LeBron’s endorsement makes it highly likely Vanderbilt will remain in the rotation in the near term. For the Lakers, a player who can switch defensively and occasionally knock down wide-open threes is a net positive — especially as the team seeks consistency down the stretch.
LeBron’s push for Vanderbilt underscores the Lakers’ balancing act: maximize defensive versatility while trying to improve spot-up shooting from role players. For Vanderbilt, the next step is sustaining this new shooting touch and continuing to deliver the defensive intensity that earned him the chance to return.
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