The Lakers begin a stretch of six straight road games with an unfamiliar sight: an almost completely healthy roster.
The team will add a key rotation piece on Saturday, with Jarred Vanderbilt officially cleared and based on the injury report the team released Friday afternoon. If he plays, it will be his season debut.
“We’re not going to put him in a situation where he would get hurt,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after Vanderbilt was cleared earlier this week. “And we do not feel that this is the case at this time. A minutes restriction applies to every player returning from a longer period. We’re not going to use it too much.”
Vanderbilt has not played since suffering a foot injury on February 1, 2024. Vanderbilt tried to return to the postseason last season, but couldn’t get back on the floor before the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. .
He underwent surgeries on both feet in the offseason, and while the team had hoped he would be available early in the season, Vanderbilt said the recovery took as long as he expected.
“It’s been a process, but I mean, credit to the staff, the guys and everyone in the organization because you know you’ve been patient and allowed me to heal and go through this full recovery process,” said him Wednesday. “But yeah, I feel like I’m in a good place now.”
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Vanderbilt is a versatile defensive player and a strong rebounder, and if healthy he should help some of the Lakers’ issues in those areas.
Only veteran Christian Wood and rarely used second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino are unavailable. Bronny James will not be with the Lakers at least at the start of their journey, as he will be playing for the Lakers’ G League team.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.