The Los Angeles Lakers are actively considering trade opportunities involving power forward Jarred Vanderbilt. According to Jovan Buha of Moneyline, the Lakers may have to include a first-round pick alongside another player to secure a valuable return in any potential trade transaction involving Vanderbilt.

Buha emphasized that including Vanderbilt in a trade would likely necessitate attaching a first-round pick. He articulated, "For the Lakers to include Vando, they would probably have to put a first round pick just as an attachment to Vando." He further elaborated that the Lakers might need to offer a combination of one first-round pick, forward Rui Hachimura, and potentially another player to entice teams such as Toronto or Chicago to absorb Vanderbilt's salary.

Currently, Vanderbilt is under a four-year, $48 million contract with the Lakers, a financial commitment that poses challenges for potential trade partners. At 25 years old, he has averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in approximately 20 minutes of playtime per game. Buha noted that Vanderbilt's offensive limitations and injury history have led many to view his contract unfavorably, complicating any potential trade discussions. As the trade deadline on February 6 approaches, the Lakers are reportedly prioritizing the acquisition of a backup center and are actively shopping both Vanderbilt and Hachimura in hopes of swift movement on the market.