NBA: Jarred Vanderbilt signs 4-year Lakers extension
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract extension with forward Jarred Vanderbilt, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Lakers have not announced a long-term deal with their defensive specialist. The contract includes a player option in year four.
The Lakers acquired Vanderbilt from Utah in February, and he quickly became a key rotation player during their impressive late-season run to the Western Conference Finals.
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Although not a major offensive contributor, Vanderbilt averaged 7.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in the regular season while frequently being asked to guard the opposing leading scorer. Vanderbilt started 24 regular season games and started 13 of the Lakers’ 15 playoff games.
After Orlando drafted Vanderbilt in the second round in 2018, he began his NBA career in Denver. He joined Minnesota for 140 games over three seasons before the Jazz acquired him last summer.
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The Lakers went 18-8, then won two playoff rounds after significantly improving their roster at the trade deadline, and general manager Rob Pelinka spent the summer improving or locking down the core of the team. he team from last season around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles agreed to contract extensions with Vanderbilt, Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura while acquiring Jaxson Hayes, Taurean Prince, Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish and Christian Wood.