"I Can Help Provide on That End" - Jarred Vanderbilt Sends Direct Message to JJ Redick After String of DNPs as Lakers' Defense Crumbles 

LA Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt had a message for coach JJ Redick ahead of their game against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. Vanderbilt has received a bunch of DNPs amid Redick's call for better defense after the Lakers got eliminated in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup.

Speaking to reporters after Friday's practice, Vanderbilt opened up about being in and out of Redick's rotation. He was surprised to get some minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers last week, saying that there's communication between him and the coaching staff about his playing time.

Vanderbilt added that he thought he had the skills to help the Lakers with their problem about team defense.

"I think a lot of the stuff we lack, I think I can help provide on that end," Vanderbilt said.

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Jarred Vanderbilt was part of JJ Redick's rotation in the first 14 games of the season. However, he was dropped on Nov. 18 against the Utah Jazz upon the return of LeBron James to the lineup.

Vanderbilt has only played once in the last 10 games, with one cameo against the Philadelphia 76ers. After the LA Lakers were blown out by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals, Redick was not particularly thrilled by the team's overall defense.

Out of all the teams with at least 10 wins, the Lakers have the worst defensive rating. They are winning because of their offense led Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. It will likely be unsustainable once they enter the playoffs, so they have to tighten up their defense.

---

Why did JJ Redick remove Jarred Vanderbilt from the rotation?

Why did JJ Redick remove Jarred Vanderbilt from the rotation? (Photo: IMAGN)

JJ Redick spoke to the media last week to discuss his decision to bench Jarred Vanderbilt and take him out of the rotation. Redick explained that it was about surrounding LeBron James with the right players, alluding to Vanderbilt's lack of shooting.

"I had communicated to him even before LeBron came back that there were certain things that he needed to be able to do consistently to play before LeBron came back," Redick said, according to Silver Screen and Roll. "After LeBron came back and that there was potentially going to be a numbers crunch because we probably were going to play a nine-man rotation and that’s that was just the reality."

Redick added that he can see Vanderbilt getting back into the rotation, so it was imperative for him to stay patient and continue working on his game.

Edited by Juan Paolo David