Vanderbilt Aims to Strengthen Lakers’ Spacing With Career-Best Three-Point Form
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt says an offseason dedicated to perimeter shooting is already paying dividends, giving the team’s primary scorers more room to operate.
“We have a lot of guys that draw double-teams and extra attention,” Vanderbilt told reporters after a recent shootaround. “I know I’m going to get those open looks, so I have to be ready and let it fly.”
Marked Jump From Long Range
Through the early portion of the 2025-26 campaign, the 26-year-old is converting a career-high 39.3% on three-pointers (11-for-28). His 1.4 attempts per game also represent a personal best, and he has knocked down at least one triple in each of the five contests since rejoining head coach Darvin Ham’s rotation.
Vanderbilt’s brightest shooting display came on Dec. 25 against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena, where he drained three threes and finished with 11 points in an eventual Lakers loss.
Impact Beyond the Arc
The 6-foot-8 forward has complemented his outside touch with relentless work on the offensive glass, averaging 3.6 offensive rebounds over the last five games. The combination of second-chance opportunities and improved floor spacing has positioned Vanderbilt for an expanded role alongside stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Calling for Consistent Effort
While applauding his own progress, Vanderbilt emphasized the importance of collective energy as Los Angeles battles early-season inconsistency. He urged teammates to “look in the mirror” and embrace nightly effort to navigate recent adversity.
The Lakers continue their homestand later this week, with Vanderbilt expected to remain a fixture in the rotation as long as his shooting surge endures.
Source: Lakers Nation
