Lakers' 6-foot-8 wing floated for massive promotion upon LeBron James’ injury return

The Los Angeles Lakers' recent injury misfortune has forced second-year head coach JJ Redick to get creative with his lineup adjustments very early into the 2025-26 season.

With Luka Dončić missing time due to a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion, and LeBron James out for an extended period with a sciatica diagnosis, Redick could be more likely to include athletic wings and defensive stalwarts in his starting rotation for the interim. 

Even when the latter of the pair returns, a change might be in order to get the most out of Los Angeles' 40-year-old future Hall of Famer. In fact, one NBA writer believes that a 26-year-old forward with two-way ability could make his way into the starting lineup once James is fully recovered.

"They won't be able to get away with it until LeBron James is healthy, but a Los Angeles Lakers team that desperately needs help in the perimeter-defense department could do a lot worse than slotting Jarred Vanderbilt into the starting five," Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes wrote Saturday.

"Between James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, the Lakers figure to start four players with limited defensive value."

"We're not so far removed from Vanderbilt harassing Stephen Curry in a 2023 playoff series win."

"A legitimate five-position option, his intensity and length could solve a lot of defensive problems for Los Angeles."

Though his well-kept log of previous injuries could derail this mission from ever taking off, the Lakers' 6-foot-8 defensive-minded forward Jarred Vanderbilt truly possesses a winning style of play.

The former second-round pick has dealt with his fair share of ailments to this juncture, but Redick may have nowhere else to turn if he wishes to place rangy defenders alongside James, and eventually, Dončić.

In 65 total appearances and eight starts for the Lakers from 2023-2025, Vanderbilt has contributed 4.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals while registering a solid 111 defensive rating per 100 possessions. 

Unfortunately, Redick would have to be comfortable with substituting a three-point shooting threat out for Vanderbilt, as his 28.4% shooting clip from distance throughout his Lakers tenure suggests that he might not provide Dončić and James with reliable catch-and-shoot production.

Instead, they'd be supported by an impressively agile perimeter defender who can quickly get out in transition after a big stop to look for a hit-ahead pass from either of the two generational talents.

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