SAN FRANCISCO — As Jarred Vanderbilt watched the Lakers’ first four games of the season, the 27-year-old veteran forward could see areas that he could impact the game:
Physicality and rebounding.
“Whether that’s boxing out, securing rebounds, finishing possessions, obviously on the offensive glass too,” Vanderbilt said after Friday morning’s shootaround at the Chase Center, dodging mid-interview passes from Luka Doncic while speaking with the media. “Just putting pressure on the rim and offensive glass, I think those are two areas I feel like I could contribute to.”
Vanderbilt isn’t wrong.
The Lakers rank dead last in the NBA on the glass – and on Wednesday night, playing in his first game of the season after riding the pine for the first four games, Vanderbilt made his impact. He secured seven rebounds (two offensive boards) and helped the Lakers outrebound the Clippers on the glass 48-41 (17-12 on the offensive glass) during the victory.
Vanderbilt had a plus-22 rating when on the court, and helped to piece together the frontcourt in 21 minutes off the bench. Just as defensive energy has become contagious for the Lakers (4-1) through five games, the same goes for rebounding effort, Vanderbilt said.
“When I get out there, obviously just flying around and causing chaos, crashing the boards and kind of propelled (Quentin Grimes) and Collin (Sexton to) start picking up full court,” Vanderbilt said. “Jake (LaRavia) started crashing. It’s contagious when you (and) everybody’s boxing out. You don’t want to be the one guy that’s not boxing out and your man gets the rebound. So it kind of puts that pressure on everybody to just lock in, box out and do all the dirty work that’s required. So it’s definitely contagious.”
Sexton and Grimes led the charge on a night when the Lakers came up with 15 steals, while LaRavia grabbed 10 rebounds (five offensive) against the Clippers.
Through the preseason, Vanderbilt rarely came off of the bench – mostly entering during the fourth quarter late in games. Lakers coach JJ Redick opted not to play Vanderbilt in the first four games of the season. In the third year of a four-year, $48 million contract, the defensive-minded forward was clearly back-of-mind for the team’s early-season rotations.
But Vanderbilt remained ready, he said, noting the amount of injuries hurting teams across the league in the early weeks of the season. Having depth, Vanderbilt added, requires players like him to stay mentally ready.
When the opportunity arises, Vanderbilt said, he’s ready to be an “impact guy.”
For the time being, Vanderbilt – who is listed at 6-foot-8 – will likely be asked to continue filling in at backup center during the non-Walker Kessler minutes. And against the smaller frontcourt of the Golden State Warriors, that’s likely to happen again Friday night.
From what the front office and coaching staff told him during training camp and the preseason, Vanderbilt said, his adaptability is what defines his role on the Lakers.
“Being a glue guy, being a veteran guy, being an adaptable guy, being able to adapt to different positions, whatever the team calls, needs (from) me at that point,” Vanderbilt said, adding that his quickness against opposing centers could make up for what is often a significant height disadvantage in the post. “So, it’s pretty much set.”
BUCKING UP THE CASH
Front Office Sports reported Friday morning that Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger, who agreed to purchase the Lakers at a $12.5 billion valuation over the summer, have been offering minority stakes to investors at a value of between $250-300 million.
According to the report, the ownership group is expecting some potential minority investors to purchase stakes at a higher amount than the $250-300 million total. Iger and Kushner’s acquisition of the Lakers from embattled businessman and current Dodgers owner Mark Walter has yet to become official.
The NBA Board of Governors next meet in November, but it could still be a few months before the Iger/Kushner group take over the franchise officially.
“We have had introductory meetings with Bob and Josh, and those have been excellent,” Lakers president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka said during a preseason press conference in September. “With a pending transaction, we’re not at liberty to talk more about that under league rules. But we’ve had preliminary discussions with them that have been really, really positive.”
AT THE BUZZER
Lakers two-way contract center Lawson Lovering, who signed with the franchise on Wednesday afternoon, joined the franchise on a two-year contract, a source who is familiar with the deal but unauthorized to speak publicly told the Southern California News Group on Friday morning.
Lovering, 23, averaged 7.7 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Memphis Hustle in the G League last season. The 7-footer has yet to make his Lakers debut and was not at shootaround on Friday morning. …
Lakers wing Ziaire Williams (left foot injury management) was ruled out for Friday night’s game against the Warriors, the second consecutive game that he’s missed due to injury.