Lakers veteran forward sees weaknesses he can help team with

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt believes he can address the team's early-season struggles in rebounding and physicality. Vanderbilt made his season debut on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers after receiving coach's decisions not to play in the first four regular-season games. He posted seven rebounds, two assists, and a plus-22 rating in 21 minutes during the victory.

Prior to Vanderbilt's debut, the Lakers ranked last in offensive rebounding percentage and second-to-last in overall rebounding percentage. Vanderbilt noted that his role crashing the boards and playing small-ball center brings both advantages in mobility and disadvantages in size, while encouraging teammates like Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Jake LaRavia to increase their intensity.