The Lakers announced that the forward has been injured again and will delay his return until next year, leaving him sidelined for a total of 11 months

Today, well-known reporter Shams suddenly posted on social platforms that Lakers forward Vanderbilt had fluid in his left knee during the recovery process, and he will postpone his comeback time, aiming to return in early January next year.

On Feb. 2 in the first half of this year, the 25-year-old Vanderbilt suffered a sprained right midfoot in an away game against Celtic, and was reimbursed for the subsequent season. And in the opening stages of last season, Vanderbilt also missed the first 20 games due to left heel bursitis.

On Nov. 20 of this year, the Lakers announced at the time that Vanderbilt had a longer recovery period than the team expected after undergoing surgery on his right foot and a bone spur removal in his left foot in May, but that he had suffered no setbacks in his return to the court and would be re-evaluated in a few weeks.

However, two weeks later, today the Lakers once again postponed Vanderbilt's comeback. I don't know if it will be postponed at the beginning of January next year.

All in all, I don't know when it's a head. Vanderbilt is on a four-year, $48 million contract with a salary of $10.71 million this year, which expires after the 2027-28 season. Since coming to the Lakers midway through the 2022-23 season, Vanderbilt has played just 55 games in all three seasons.

Last season, he averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 51.8% from the field and 29.6% from three-point range.

ESPN's Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin said Vanderbilt's absence has left Lakers management unable to assess roster needs, meaning they believe that with a healthy Vanderbilt, the team may not need to add another big man.

Previously, when the Lakers had Vanderbilt, they would put on a thick eyebrow and him as an interior combination, and both of them could switch to the perimeter and protect the rebound, which worked very well. And the Lakers often arrange Vanderbilt to defend the opposing team's star and serve as the all-court leader.

The Lakers also have Wood on the roster, and counting Koloko and Hayes, there are already three backup centers. This may also be a reason for the Lakers' hesitation, but at the moment, the rest of the centers are plagued by injuries except for Koloko.

Another Lakers reporter, Trevor Lane, said: "The team needs a wide wing player who is athletic, offensive and defensive, and a center on the trade market, maybe more." However, there was such a demand at last season's trade deadline and this summer. Pelinka is two months away from the trade deadline this season, and the Lakers will have to grit their teeth in that time. ”

Some fans found out that Vanderbilt had tweeted today: "False", which was quickly deleted.

True or not, Vanderbilt hasn't played from February to January, and his 11-month absence is a certainty.

The number of games that Lakers frontcourt and interior players have missed so far this season:
Wood 20 games
Vanderbilt 20 games
Hayes 9 games
Hachimura 5 games
Davis 1 game

The Lakers have had a lot of problems lately, and they are now ranked 9th in the West. During the Lakers' 10-4 start of the season, the use rate of thick eyebrows was as high as 31.2%, and the use rate of James was 26.7%. In the last 7 games, the Lakers have 2 wins and 5 losses. The use of thick eyebrows dropped to 26.4%, and the use of James increased to 30.5%.

Not knowing why there are so many changes, Jefferson said: "James needs help, he can't do that much early in the season. ”

The impact of the Lakers' injuries is one thing, and the other is that James' feel and form have shown a visible decline. After yesterday's game, James said he would make an effort to shake off his recent shooting slump.

Tomorrow, the Lakers travel to the Heat, who are seventh in the East, and are in desperate need of a win to get the team back on their feet. ESPN predicts a 43.4% win rate for the Lakers.