Rob Pelinka, the defensive-minded forward, has been plagued by injuries this offseason.
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Due to left heel bursitis, he missed the first 20 games of the season. Then, just as he was thoroughly adjusting to the Lakers rotation, he sustained another injury.
His right foot has a mid-foot sprain this time. Vanderbilt will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, as the Lakers indicated, but with 54 games into the season, it’s likely that he won’t be able to return. Vanderbilt has only played 29 games this season, therefore that definitely classifies it as a lost season.
Pelinka, meanwhile, is still more optimistic about Vanderbilt. The general manager of the Lakers thinks Vanderbilt can make a comeback.
It’s likely that the sprain was not as severe as first believed at the three to four week review, in which case he can start preparing for a return. However, it’s also possible that more tears may become apparent as the swelling goes down, necessitating surgery.
However, it’s obvious that Pelinka has some hope that Vanderbilt can return in 2023–2024 thanks to the Lakers medical staff. The Lakers would greatly benefit from it since they sorely need his excellent perimeter defense.
Rob Pelinka talks about his conversation with LeBron James of the Lakers at the trade deadline.
LeBron James tweeted an hourglass emoji a week prior, so the Lakers’ lack of activity at the deadline was rather unexpected.
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