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Dave McMenamin: ‘Between now and the start of the regular season, they could carry 16 players, they carry up to 20 through training camp, but through now to the start of the regular season, you got to get rid of a player. Whether that's going to be continuing to try to move someone like Jarred Vanderbilt or Dalton Knecht, that they've not had success with thus far, and they've quite frankly tried for a while here, or could it be someone like Jaden Hardy who was picked up in the Deandre Ayton deal that was really more about trying to get some draft assets from Washington and move off of Ayton to make room for your new centers with Kevon Looney and Walker Kessler than it was about necessarily Hardy. That's one thing that absolutely has to happen. So that means their work's not done.’
The Lakers and Hawks had discussions on a Kuminga sign-and-trade that would’ve involved Jarred Vanderbilt and a Los Angeles 2032 first-round pick swap, as Khobi Price of the California Post first reported. However, the Hawks have been resistant to taking on Vanderbilt’s $13.29 million salary for the 2027-28 season, which is a player option.
Marc Stein on Lakers pursuing Jonathan Kuminga: ‘They would need Jarred Vanderbilt to be in the trade, and we know the Hawks have shown resistance to it…’ Jake Fischer: ‘I also don't think the Lakers are just like trying to shop Jarred Vanderbilt around the league. I haven’t gotten that sense, either.’
A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Jonathan Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap – the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer. Kuminga’s contract would have to be for at least three or four seasons (not including option seasons), and the first season must be fully guaranteed, if the Lakers acquired him in a sign and trade.
The Lakers have been willing to trade Vanderbilt, according to multiple sources who spoke with the Post who were granted anonymity so they could speak freely, as well as other players on the roster in order to create more roster-building optionality. The Cavaliers also have strong interest in Kuminga, a source said.
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The fourth Laker on our list, over one-quarter of the trades logged into our trade machine of late have included Jarred Vanderbilt, a 27-year-old defensive-minded forward. Vanderbilt has two years left on his contract, worth $25.7 million, with a player option on the second year. That's not a grossly offensive salary, but it's also not some major value deal, either, not with the way Vanderbilt produces.
Fullcourtpass: Dillon Brooks called Jared Vanderbilt a ‘dumb NBA player’ "I'm going to throw a shot. I can't even lie. This guy doesn't even like me, to be honest with you. Jared Vanderbilt. On the Lakers. They call him Vando” (h/t @PurpGoldLakers)
Dillon Brooks called Jared Vanderbilt a ‘dumb NBA player’
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 16, 2026
"I'm going to throw a shot. I can't even lie. This guy doesn't even like me, to be honest with you. Jared Vanderbilt. On the Lakers. They call him Vando”
(h/t @PurpGoldLakers) pic.twitter.com/6th3eIlsCI
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Brandon Rahbar: Jalen Williams remains out tomorrow for Game 3. Luka Doncic remains out. Jarred Vanderbilt has been upgraded to questionable.
Benjamin Royer: Lakers say that Luke Kennard (neck soreness) has been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s Game 2 at Oklahoma City. Jarred Vanderbilt (right finger dislocation) has also been downgraded to OUT.
