Lakers Rumors: Jarred Vanderbilt’s Injury Rehab ‘Going Well’ After Foot Surgeries

Julia StumbaughOctober 1, 2024

Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said on Tuesday that Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt’s rehab from offseason procedures on each of his feet “has gone well,” but that Vanderbilt has yet to test his progress.

“I believe it was the right foot that caused them to miss most of the season after that Celtics game where they had that improbable win at TD Garden,” McMenamin said on Tuesday’s episode of the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast (2:02:00 mark.) “He had the right foot, the mid foot issue taken care of, and the doctor like, so long as we’re going in, you’re going to be off your feet anyway, let’s go look in that left foot, and there was a bone spur in there.

“My understanding is that rehab has gone well, but he hasn’t really tested it yet at all.”

Vanderbilt, who was limited to 29 regular-season appearances last season, could return to the Lakers’ starting lineup if healthy by the team’s Oct. 22 season opener against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.

McMenamin said he did not think that return timeline was likely based on Vanderbilt’s current recovery pace.

“Once he begins to test it, you’re talking about roughly a month-long process,” McMenamin said. “So, we’re here at the end of September, season starts October 22… I think there is a realistic pathway to see him on the court in the first half of November.”

McMenamin continued: “He’s a guy who, at his best, is playing so well, exerting his effort and force against other opponents, because he’s such a well-conditioned athlete as part of his overall package. And you can be good to play, but you’re not gonna be a top-flight condition athlete right away, either. I think that limits the idea of him being completely a game-changer for this team.”

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said last week while sharing the news of Vanderbilt’s offseason procedures that there was “optimism” he would be available for the start of the regular season.

Vanderbilt then told reporters during media availability on Monday that he felt “great” amid his recovery.

“I feel great. The process has been going great. … Everything has been on a great pace and great scheduling. Everything feels good,” Vanderbilt said, per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.

When asked if he would be ready for opening night, however, Vanderbilt answered, “I’m not quite sure.”

Lakers head coach JJ Redick indicated last week that he is expecting his opening night starting lineup to feature Rui Hachimura in Vanderbilt’s place alongside D’Angelo Russell, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis.

Vanderbilt will likely compete to regain the starting spot when he returns, but it sounds like the Lakers may be on track to start the 2024-25 season with Hachimura starting as Vanderbilt continues the rehabilitation process.