At the trade deadline of the 2022-23 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers made a massive trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves to unload the contract of Russell Westbrook. They traded him to the Utah Jazz and received D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Since that deal, the only player left on the Lakers is Vanderbilt, who also previously played for the Timberwolves. He was sent to the Utah Jazz as part of the Rudy Gobert trade and then again less than a year later to L.A.
Vanderbilt got the chance to face his former team in the playoffs last year when the Timberwolves knocked out the Lakers in the first round. During that series, he got the chance to guard former teammate Anthony Edwards and the two had some fun battles that included some smack talk.
But as Edwards prepares for an important 2025-26 season for the budding superstar, he was asked about players he’s spent time with in Minnesota who he misses the most. He picked the Lakers forward as his top answer, via Nadine Babu of GopherHole:
What is the player that you miss the most on the court and off the court?
Anthony Edwards: My…Jarred Vanderbilt and Josh Okogie.
Which one is on the court and which one is off?
Ant: Jarred…both of ‘em, just as much. Yeah. Well Jarred didn’t play that much when I was here… pic.twitter.com/ty7N4qYlrW— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) September 29, 2025
Vanderbilt has played a larger role since being traded to the Lakers than he did on the Timberwolves. However, his relationship with Edwards could have been a good enough reason for Minnesota to keep him. Edwards is one of the best players in the world, and easily could have a say in the players that stay on the roster.
But the Lakers desperately needed someone with Vanderbilt’s defensive pedigree at the time, and they still need it. Now that he is healthy for the first time in a while, the Lakers will likely use Vanderbilt to both opposing stars like Edwards during the 2025-26, leading to more fun battles.
Lakers’ Rob Pelinka emphasizing optionality
The Lakers, for the first time in years, have more clarity on their roster and future with Luka Doncic in tow. Doncic is set to lead the storied franchise, with LeBron James still around to help chase after another championship.
President of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka did well to surround Doncic with better talent this offseason, and now the organization will eagerly wait to see how the pieces fare.
Pelinka was asked about the Lakers’ approach to team building as over half the roster will hit free agency next summer and he emphasized the team’s need for optionality.
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