Despite Jarred Vanderbilt impressing during training camp and being healthy for the first time in years, he finds himself on the outside looking in regarding the rotation.

While he didn’t necessarily wow during the early parts of the season, he’s one of the best defenders on a roster that struggles to stop anyone. Seeing him getting six consecutive DNP’s, then, despite being healthy is certainly noticeable.

So why has a player who was key to LA’s Western Conference Finals appearance just a couple of years ago now been unable to earn playing time?

Before the Lakers took on the Suns, head coach JJ Redick explained why Vando has been a bench warmer.

“He’s been good,” Redick said. “He’s been a pro. The most recent stay ready that we had this week, he was great. He’s been a great teammate,

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