The Lakers have agreed to a four-year extension with veteran forward Jarred Vanderbilt, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, securing a key piece of the franchise’s rotation for the foreseeable future.
Vanderbilt, who was set to enter the last season of his current deal, will earn $48 million over the next four years with the extension, Charania reports.
After joining the Lakers in a midseason trade from the Jazz last season, Vanderbilt quickly established himself as a core member of the rotation on a team that rallied from a slow start to reach the Western Conference finals. Known for his prowess on defense, the 24-year old played vital minutes alongside the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, often taking on the toughest defensive assignment when on the court.
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Vanderbilt, who made 41 starts for Utah prior to the trade, averaged 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in 26 regular-season appearances with the Lakers. He went on to start in 13 of L.A.’s 16 playoff games, averaging 4.6 points and 3.2 boards per contest.
A former second-round pick out of Kentucky, Vanderbilt spent time with the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Jazz before landing with the Lakers.
