He is a great Laker defender, the potential he has to become a starter over Hachimura again

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting ready for the next season, with GM Rob Pelinka and coach Darvin Ham setting the pieces in motion for training camp, there's a player that hasn't been talked about enough that will be key for the team's aspiration in the 2023-24 campaign.

Most of the spotlight goes to D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura as the main players to arrived at last season's trade deadline and helped to change the team's culture, synergy, and overall chemistry, but one player who was critical for the group to enter into the play-In and consequently to the playoffs was the wing Jarred Vanderbilt.

What hasn't been talked about enough about Vando is his breakout potential. He’s already a defensive ace; if the summer brought positive regression on his corner 3 (hit 37% w/ Utah, 32% w LA) and finishing at the rim (76% at the rim w/ Utah, 65% w/ LA) his on-court value goes way up.

Reports by NBA insider Jovan Buha currently have Rui Hachimura as Ham's favorite forward to be a starter alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but with Vando working out this offseason to up his game, he will be battling to stay as a starter on coach Ham's lineups.

With the examples of Austin Reaves & Rui Hachimura, fans expect the same to happen to Vanderbilt

One of the best qualities the Lakers have is the coaching staff that has been able to help players in the past to step up their game, the most recent example is Austin Reaves who had a breakout season thanks to his improvement. Another is Rui Hachimura who had a superb playoffs because of Phil Handy and Co. Fans are hoping the coaching staff can do the same for, not only Jarred Vanderbilt but Cam Reddish and the rest of the group.