The Los Angeles Lakers could bring Jarred Vanderbilt back into the rotation amid their ongoing defensive struggles, per head coach JJ Redick.

Vanderbilt started the season as a big part of the rotation, averaging 21.1 minutes through six games in October. His playing time dropped to 16.3 minutes over eight games in November, but he has since fallen entirely out of the Lakers’ rotation.

The 6-foot-8 wing has logged all of three minutes in December, which came during garbage time of the 112-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers last week.

After the Spurs exposed the Lakers’ glaring defensive issues in the NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday, Redick is contemplating bringing Vanderbilt, an excellent perimeter defender, back into the rotation.

JJ Redick Mulls Big Change

“If this continues, he’ll definitely get his opportunities,” Redick said on Friday of the Lakers bringing Vando back into the rotation, via Thuc Nhi Nguyen of LA Times.

Redick sounded the alarm bells on his team’s defense after they allowed a Victor Wembanyama-less Spurs to score 132 points against them this week. The Lakers, who rank No. 22 in defense, have also conceded over 130 points to lottery-bound teams such as the New Orleans Pelicans and LA Clippers, and over 140 points to the Utah Jazz.

“I don’t think there’s anybody in that meeting room that thinks we’re a good defensive team right now,” Redick said, “but I also don’t think there’s anybody in that meeting room who thinks we can’t be a good defensive team. We’ve got to get better.”

Gabe Vincent suggested that the Lakers’ defensive struggles could be more personnel-than scheme-related. Further to that point, the Lakers have three subpar defenders in their starting unit and a subpar rim protector.

“It’s less of scheme stuff. A little more of urgency,” Vincent said. “A little more of doing all the little things. If you don’t do them, like I said, there are some great players in this league that will expose you.”

Lakers Face Huge Decision

Vando’s issues have always boiled down to his lackluster offensive production. The Kentucky alum shot 26% from three in his limited opportunities earlier in the season, while averaging 4.3 minutes from 17.3 minutes. However, he showed flashes of improvement as a three-point shooter during preseason, which gave Redick optimism about playing him consistent minutes. Alas, his plan didn’t come to fruition.

If Vanderbilt returns to the rotation, the Lakers could potentially cut short the playing time of Jake LaRaVia and Vincent.

As of Dec. 12, the Lakers had four players averaging over 30 minutes — Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura — and another four players logging over 20 minutes in Vincent, LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. Jaxson Hayes has logged 16.8 minutes off the bench as the backup center to Ayton.

Vanderbilt could also potentially be used as a small-ball five, a role he often played under Darvin Ham. Last season, he was expected to be a big part of Redick’s rotation, but injuries derailed his season, as he appeared in 36 games. Now that he’s healthy, the defensive-minded wing could get another look — more out of necessity for the Lakers.

The 26-year-old Vanderbilt is signed through the 2027-28 season with the Lakers. In fact, he’s the only player besides Luka Doncic who is signed for two more years.