Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt cleared to make season debut on Saturday.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has been medically cleared to make his season debut Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, barring unforeseen setbacks, coach JJ Redick said Wednesday.

Saturday’s game (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) will be Vanderbilt’s first action in nearly a year after suffering a right midfoot sprain on Feb. 1 that cost him the rest of last season.

He underwent procedures on both feet during the offseason, opting for surgery on his right foot and removing a bone spur in his left foot in May. That has sidelined him since the start of training camp in September, and his rehab was delayed in December when he experienced fluid in his left knee.

“He is medically cleared and available for Saturday,” Redick said Wednesday. “…This whole process with him has been long-term and we are going to continue to be patient. He and I and the doctors [staff] Everyone will talk on Saturday, and if he feels good, he will be available, and that is no guarantee that he will play. “It will be available on Saturday, barring any setbacks.”

Vanderbilt participated on a limited basis in Wednesday’s practice, including a full-court 4-on-4 game with the coaches and some of the players not in rotation.

“It’s obviously been a while since I played, so I think those natural nerves [will be there]”But other than that, I’m excited,” Vanderbilt said. “I think this is an exciting period.” “This whole process hasn’t been exciting, so this is an exciting period for me.”

Vanderbilt signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension in September 2023 after the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals, but has been largely unavailable since then, appearing in just 29 of 129 games, including the regular season and the seasonal tournament. , play-in tournament and playoffs.

However, before his right foot injury last season, Vanderbilt was enjoying one of the most productive stretches of his career, averaging 10.5 points on 66% shooting, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals. in eight games.

The long layoff exceeded the schedule set for opening night that Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka had expected, but Vanderbilt said he had no expectations of when he would return.

“I wouldn’t say it lasted longer than I thought,” Vanderbilt said of the recovery process. “It was a collaboration… between me, the staff and everyone. For me to feel comfortable, personally, and also for them to pass the vision test and the [physical recovery] measures. So, it was a lot of different factors and variables that played a role.”

The Lakers have made major changes since Vanderbilt last appeared on the court, replacing Darvin Ham with coach JJ Redick and recently trading D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith, another forward with whom Vanderbilt will compete. per minute within Los Angeles. rotation.