Jarred Vanderbilt signs lucrative extension with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers v Portland Trail Blazers — PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 13: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a free throw against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Moda Center on February 13, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)

Get paid, Jarred Vanderbilt. Emerging as a go-to defensive option for the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise has decided to sign the 24-year-old forward to a lucrative extension.

The deal? Four years, $48 million, fully guaranteed with a player option in the fourth year.

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Erika Ruiz announced the deal through Shams Charania of The Athletic on Friday.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has agreed on a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the franchise, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Erika Ruiz told @TheAthletic @Stadium. Deal is fully guaranteed with a player option in the fourth year. pic.twitter.com/4kuLlt8zeT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 15, 2023

Vanderbilt is going into the final year of a three-year, $13.1 million deal he signed back in Sept. 2021. He will earn a base salary of $4.6 million in 2023-24 before his new contract kicks in starting in 2024-25.

What led to the extension? The former Wildcat averaged 7.2 points on 52.9% shooting and 30.3% from three while adding 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 26 games with 24 starts for the Lakers to close out this past season. On the year, he averaged a career-high 7.9 points with 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals, starting the season in Utah.

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Originally a second-round pick in 2018, Vanderbilt has spent time with the Denver Nuggets (2018-20), Minnesota Timberwolves (2020-22) and Utah Jazz (2022) before joining the Lakers to close out this past season.

During his one-and-done career at the University of Kentucky, Vanderbilt appeared in 14 games and averaged 5.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. He led the Wildcats in rebounding when he was action, grabbing 10 or more boards in five of his 14 appearances. The former five-star recruit missed the first two and a half months of his freshman season due to a left foot injury.

Betting on himself, Vanderbilt turned pro at the conclusion of his lone season in Lexington. That bet has paid off in the form of a $48 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Not too shabby.