LeBron James and Luka Doncic are excited to have this fierce defender as a Laker teammate

LeBron James and Luka Doncic know that chasing another NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers is going to take more than just their star power. Championships are built on depth, chemistry, and players who embrace their roles and in the Purple and Gold’s locker room, one of those key role players is ready to make his presence felt.

This player has built a reputation as one of the league’s fiercest defenders, a player who doesn’t just guard his man, he disrupts entire offensive schemes. Standing at 6’8″ with the kind of motor most players can’t sustain for more than a few possessions, is a relentless force. The NBA even highlighted his defensive prowess in a recent social media post, showing him walking that razor thin line between aggressive and overzealous, harassing ball handlers without picking up cheap fouls.

LeBron and Luka praise the impact of their relentless new teammate

For the Lakers, that’s gold. In a league where scoring is at an all-time high, having someone who thrives on making life miserable for the opponent’s best player is priceless. Jared Vanderbilt’s game isn’t flashy in the box score, but ask anyone who’s had to play against him, and they’ll tell you he’s a problem.

While his offensive game has limitations his shooting and finishing aren’t his calling cards Vanderbilt still finds ways to impact the scoreboard. His work on the offensive glass is elite. It’s not just about size or hops; it’s the timing, the positioning, and the sheer will to get to the ball first. His instincts turn broken plays into second-chance points, often swinging momentum in the Lakers’ favor.

LeBron has been vocal about the value of players like Jared, the ones who embrace the grind and do the dirty work that doesn’t always make the highlight reels. Luka, now joining the Lakers for this championship push, knows that having a defensive weapon like Vanderbilt means fewer possessions where he has to shoulder the load alone.

This gives the Lakers a well rounded team that, led by James and Doncic in the 2025-2026 season, also features a defensive pillar who could make the difference in the most important games. In the NBA, stars win games, but players like Jared Vanderbilt win championships. Los Angeles might just have the perfect combination of talent and toughness to make a run for the title.