Lakers’ Vanderbilt Eager to Form Defensive Duo With Marcus Smart
SLUG: lakers-vanderbilt-ready-to-team-up-with-marcus-smart
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt says he cannot wait to share the court with newly acquired guard Marcus Smart, believing the pair can anchor the club’s defense when the 2025-26 NBA season begins.
Speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s practice at the team’s El Segundo facility, Vanderbilt described the impact he expects once the former Defensive Player of the Year joins him in the lineup. “Just causing havoc,” he said. “Not only physically, but vocally. He’s a vocal guy as well, so us being able to be the anchor of the defense, flying around and setting that tone defensively, I’m excited.”
Defensive Urgency After Key Departures
Los Angeles enters training camp with questions on that end of the floor after losing veterans Anthony Davis and Dorian Finney-Smith during the past eight months. The front office acted over the summer by signing Smart from the buyout market, adding a three-time All-Defensive selection who claimed the league’s top defensive honor in 2022.
Alongside Vanderbilt—himself known for disruptive perimeter play—Smart projects as one of the team’s two primary stoppers. Both players, however, have missed significant time over the last two seasons, raising durability concerns that Vanderbilt brushed aside. “He looks great. He’s moving great,” the forward said. “His main power is that he’s vocal. Being able to help the guys communicate defensively—that’s a big part of defense for us.”
Smart Returns to Practice
Smart had been sidelined at the start of camp with Achilles tendinopathy and did not appear in the Lakers’ first two preseason games. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed Tuesday that the 31-year-old participated fully in practice and “looked good,” an encouraging sign as the team prepares for its Oct. 29 opener.
How Redick deploys the Vanderbilt-Smart combination remains to be seen, but the coaching staff believes their length, switchability and communication can offset the departure of Davis’ rim protection and Finney-Smith’s wing versatility.
The Lakers resume preseason play Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, where Smart’s status will be monitored closely. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, says his focus is simple: “Set the tone, be physical, be vocal, and let everything else fall into place.”
Source: Lakers Nation
