Lakers' $48M veteran defensive menace could haunt them after major offseason trade blunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to move several players this summer as they look to restructure their roster. However, the biggest contract they have been trying to get rid of is veteran Jarred Vanderbilt, who saw limited minutes last season.

Since the beginning of the summer, Vanderbilt has been a name on the trade block. LA has tried to shop both him and Dalton Knecht in hopes of creating more flexibility and bringing in a starting-caliber player.

“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

The bad news for Vanderbilt is that there has seemingly been little interest in taking on his contract, regardless of what the Lakers are willing to give up in return. His trade value appears to be limited, and that became especially clear during Los Angeles' pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga.

When the Lakers were trying to work out a sign-and-trade for Kuminga, the Atlanta Hawks reportedly did not want to take on Vanderbilt, forcing Los Angeles to explore other options to make the deal work.

“Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade discussions between the Hawks and Lakersare picking up steam. With Atlanta still not interested in taking on Jarred Vanderbilt, LA is looking for facilitators to acquire Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht. The Lakers would send Atlanta draft capital," Sidery wrote.

Ultimately, the Lakers were unable to land Kuminga, who chose to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves instead. Now, the failure to move Vanderbilt could become one of the biggest regrets of the Lakers' offseason. Lake Show Life’s Syvatoslav Rovenchuk believes it was a significant failure for Los Angeles.

“The failure to move on from Vanderbilt will be a touch disappointing for Lakers fans. Given the nuanced lack of leverage in both scenarios where Los Angeles might have done it, it is a justifiable failure,” Rovenchuk wrote.

Keeping Vanderbilt could prove costly if he once again struggles to provide enough offensively. If he cannot consistently knock down his corner three, there is a chance he could find himself stuck on the bench for another season. The Lakers were hoping to avoid that scenario, but moving him could have also opened the door to adding a potential starter through the trade market.

Vanderbilt is entering the final year of his $48 million contract. For now, failing to move him has to be viewed as a significant offseason blunder for Los Angeles. His defense will always provide value, but if he cannot provide enough offensive production in a JJ Redick-led offense, his role could once again become extremely limited.

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