Lakers' Vanderbilt could make season debut Saturday

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt was medically cleared to return from a foot strain and will be listed as available against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday barring any setbacks, head coach JJ Redick said, according to The Athletic's Jovan Buha.

Vanderbilt suffered the injury in February, which forced him to miss the remainder of last season after appearing in only 29 games. He then suffered an effusion in his left knee while rehabbing the foot, which extended his absence.

The 25-year-old has appeared in just 55 games with the Lakers across two seasons. He has averaged 6.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals with L.A.

Vanderbilt joined the Lakers in a three-team trade with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves in 2023. He then inked a four-year, $48-million contract extension during the 2023 offseason.

The Kentucky product will provide some help to a Lakers roster that LeBron James and Anthony Davis reportedly believe is a piece or two away from contention.

The Lakers currently sit sixth in the Western Conference at 23-18.