Lakers re-sign Jarred Vanderbilt to four-year, $48M extension.

03/05/2023 — Jarred Vanderbilt boxing out Warriors Jonathan Kuminga on the shot attempt.

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers have agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract with 24-year-old forward Jarred Vanderbilt, locking in his long-term stay before the start of training camp.

The contract is fully guaranteed, with a player option in the fourth year.

Vanderbilt was acquired via trade from the Utah Jazz at the near end of the trade deadline, one of many trades made by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka to help improve a Lakers roster that pushed to the play-in tournament through the Western Conference finals.

Look at Vando’s on-ball defense on Luka.

Things like this won’t tell you in the box score. He’s so vital to this Lakers team on the defensive end.

pic.twitter.com/xCEotN8N1L

— Carlos Yakimowich (@SportsFocusLA) February 27, 2023

At 6'8, and with a 7'1 wingspan, Vanderbilt was utilized by Lakers head coach Darvin Ham as the go-to top on-ball perimeter defender, with his assignment throughout the regular season and playoffs guarding the opposing team’s best offensive threat.

In 26 games played for the Lakers last season, starting 24 of them, Vanderbilt averaged 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.

Vanderbilt joins teammates Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura in receiving a multiyear extension this offseason.