Vanderbilt (foot) participated in non-contact work during Monday's practice, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vanderbilt is inching closer to returning to the floor and making his season debut. He is finally back at practice, which is a good sign for the Lakers' depth in the frontcourt, but he remains a few hurdles away from game action.

Vanderbilt isn't expected to make his season debut until early January after developing fluid in his left knee during his rehab program for offseason procedures on both of his feet, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Back on Nov. 20, the Lakers announced that Vanderbilt had hit a snag in his ramp-up program, after he had taken longer than anticipated to recover from the pair of surgeries he underwent in May, one to address a right mid-foot sprain and another to remove a bone spur in his left foot. While Vanderbilt isn't dealing with any foot-related setbacks in the two weeks since that update, the left knee issue will further delay his 2024-25 debut. Vanderbilt was a key player for the Lakers when healthy during the 2023-24 season, averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.0 minutes.

Vanderbilt's (foot) ramp-up process has gone slower than anticipated, and he'll be re-evaluated in a "couple weeks" from Wednesday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vanderbilt underwent surgery on his right foot during the offseason, and his recovery has been slower than expected. He's yet to appear in a game this season and will need at least two weeks more before retaking the hardwood.

Vanderbilt (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Jazz, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vanderbilt continues to work his way back from offseason procedures on both of his feet. His next chance to make his 2024-25 regular-season debut will be Thursday against the Magic, but Vanderbilt will need to increase his basketball activities before entertaining a return to game action.

Vanderbilt (foot) was spotted participating in light shooting drills following Sunday's practice, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vanderbilt doesn't appear to be all that close to a return to play just yet, but he's trending in the right direction. If all goes well in his rehab, the forward should continue to ramp up basketball activities over the next week or so, at which point another update is expected to surface.

Coach JJ Redick said Friday that the Lakers will have another update on Vanderbilt (foot) in about a week, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vanderbilt has yet to suit up this season while recovering from multiple surgeries. Although Redick said that Vanderbilt is progressing in his recovery, he is still experiencing "minor discomfort".

Head coach JJ Redick stated Thursday that Vanderbilt's (foot) status will be updated in two weeks, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lakers were hopeful that Vanderbilt would be ready for the start of the regular season Tuesday against the Timberwolves, but following Thursday's update, he's set to miss at least the first five matchups of the 2024-25 campaign. Redick noted that Vanderbilt hasn't suffered any sort of setback and his return-to-play progression is going well, so perhaps the team's initial timetable for a return was a bit ambitious.

Coach JJ Redick said Saturday that Vanderbilt (foot) is progressing and in a "ramp up" stage in his recovery, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vanderbilt is still working his way back from multiple foot surgeries this offseason and isn't expected to suit up in the preseason. However, the Lakers are still targeting the regular-season opener against Minnesota on Oct. 21 as his return date.

Vanderbilt (foot) said Monday that he's not sure if he'll be ready for Opening Night, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vanderbilt had procedures on both feet during the offseason, and there's been some optimism that he could be ready to face Minnesota on Oct. 22 to open the season. Vanderbilt said his rehab process has been going great, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses throughout the preseason.

General manager Rob Pelinka said Wednesday that Vanderbilt had successful procedures on both feet this offseason, and there's optimism the forward will be ready for Opening Night against the Timberwolves on Oct. 22, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pelinka added that Vanderbilt had a lingering bone spur that was also cleared up during the procedures, which happened right after the 2023-24 season concluded. Vanderbilt was a key piece during the Lakers' run to the Western Conference Finals two years ago, but last season, the forward struggled to stay on the court, making just 29 regular-season appearances. Vanderbilt brings a defensive versatility that is hard to come by and will certainly have a role if he's healthy on Opening Night, though probably not one worth fantasy relevance outside of deeper leagues prioritizing defensive stats.