Lakers reportedly expected to part ways with $48M defensive menace on expiring contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to make additional roster moves before the season arrives, but those efforts have been largely unsuccessful. Los Angeles is beginning to build around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but sometimes improving a roster means subtracting before adding.

The Lakers have been trying to make trades this summer, with Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt being the top players available.

“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

The bad news for Vanderbilt is that no team has been eager to take on his expiring contract, especially after he fell out of the Lakers' rotation last season. The latest example came with the Atlanta Hawks, who were reportedly unwilling to take on his contract as part of a potential sign-and-trade involving Jonathan Kuminga.

“Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade discussions between the Hawks and Lakers are picking up steam. With Atlanta still not interested in taking on Jarred Vanderbilt, LA is looking for facilitators to acquire Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht. The Lakers would send Atlanta draft capital," Sidery wrote.

Vanderbilt remains an intriguing player because of his defensive ability, but his struggles as a shooter have limited his overall value. It remains unclear when the Lakers will ultimately move him, but Heavy.com's Sean Deveney reported that Los Angeles could eventually find a way to trade him.

“The Lakers have been trying to find a taker for Vanderbilt, but no one has been eager to take on his contract. It’s possible the Lakers will use him in their rotation, much to JJ Redick’s chagrin, and attempt to trade him during the season,” Deveney wrote.

Vanderbilt's first couple of seasons in Los Angeles were impressive, which is a major reason the Lakers ultimately brought him back. However, with JJ Redick now in charge, the team's offensive philosophy could make Vanderbilt's shooting limitations even more noticeable.

Vanderbilt is entering the final year of his $48 million contract. A team in need of a defensive-minded veteran could eventually see value in acquiring him, but for now, the Lakers appear determined to find a way to move on from him.

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