The battle for the Lakers’ fifth starting spot has mostly been framed as Marcus Smart versus Rui Hachimura. On one side is Smart, the gritty veteran guard and former Defensive Player of the Year. On the other is Rui, the versatile scoring forward who thrived in last year’s playoffs. But there’s a third name that shouldn’t be ignored: Jarred Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt’s case: defense first
When healthy, Vanderbilt is arguably the Lakers’ most versatile defender, capable of guarding positions 1 through 5. He proved his value during L.A.’s Western Conference Finals run in 2023, where he hounded elite guards as the team’s top point-of-attack defender.
This preseason, Vando has drawn praise from teammates and coaches for looking like the healthiest version of himself since joining the team. That matters for a player whose defense relies so much on quickness, energy, and switchability.
The X-factor: improved shooting
The knock on Vanderbilt has always been his offense. Reports from camp suggest he’s improved his outside shot, though — as always — he’ll have to prove it in actual games before it changes how defenses treat him.
If that jumper is real, slotting him as the fifth starter becomes almost a no-brainer. His defensive versatility, combined with even league-average spacing, could unlock more two-way lineups for head coach JJ Redick.
Comparing the contenders:
- Marcus Smart: At his best, Smart is still the Lakers’ premier point-of-attack defender, with championship-level toughness. The concern is his health, which has been up and down since joining the team.
- Rui Hachimura: Offers size and reliable scoring that complements LeBron James and Luka Doncic, but he’s not as defensively switchable as Vanderbilt.
- Jarred Vanderbilt: Brings elite switch defense, length, and energy. If the shooting improvement is real, he balances the lineup on both ends.
A conversation worth having
I’m not saying Vanderbilt will or should be the fifth starter, but dismissing him outright feels unfair and shortsighted. Lineups with his defensive versatility have historically made the Lakers tougher against perimeter-heavy teams.
And if even NBA 2K has him penciled in as the fifth starter, maybe the debate isn’t as cut-and-dry as Smart versus Rui after all.
The takeaway:
Jarred Vanderbilt may be the forgotten name in the fifth-starter debate, but with elite defense, improved health, and a developing jumper, he deserves more than a passing mention in Lakers’ lineup discussions.
