Jarred Vanderbilt offered a rare behind-the-scenes look into how the Los Angeles Lakers’ leadership structure will operate this season, painting a picture of a balanced, team-first culture centered around communication, accountability, and defined roles.
Speaking at a recent team media conference, Vanderbilt broke down how leadership duties are distributed across the Lakers’ roster: a mix of veterans, stars, and steady contributors who each bring something unique to the table.
“I mean, we have a lot of leaders: everybody kind of covers different categories. We got Bron and Luka, kind of the vocal leaders. Me and Marcus handle the defense. Then you got guys like AR and Gabe who just lead by example being on time, showing up to work every day, helping a teammate out.”
“So we have a lot of leaders and veterans in their own right, and that’s just gonna make us a good team. Everybody’s able to pitch in, say what they gotta say, take constructive criticism. You need that dynamic in order to be a great team. So I think we got a good balance — we just gotta make sure we keep it.”
It’s a clear hierarchy, one that reflects the Lakers’ new dynamic under head coach JJ Redick.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic, unsurprisingly, are the team’s primary voices. Both superstars command attention in different ways: LeBron with his decades of experience and championship pedigree, and Luka with his unfiltered competitiveness and control of the offense. Together, they anchor the team’s mentality.
Vanderbilt, known for his defensive intensity and energy, emphasized that leadership doesn’t just come from stars. He and Marcus Smart, another defensive specialist and former Defensive Player of the Year, are taking charge of setting the tone on that end of the floor.
That kind of defensive accountability has been missing from the Lakers in recent years. With Smart now in the mix and Vanderbilt fully healthy after dealing with injuries last season, the duo could help transform L.A.’s defense into one of the most disciplined units in the league.
Meanwhile, Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent represent the quieter, workmanlike side of leadership, the “lead by example” types who set the daily standard through consistency and professionalism.
For a roster that blends superstar talent with role-player grit, this balance of personalities might be exactly what the Lakers need. The 2024–25 season was marred by inconsistency, poor communication, and defensive lapses. Redick and the veterans have made it a priority to change that.
Vanderbilt believes this new structure will help hold everyone accountable, from the top down.
With LeBron entering his 23rd season and Luka stepping into his prime, maintaining harmony within this leadership core will be crucial. If everyone stays in their lane, LeBron and Luka steering the offense, Smart and Vanderbilt commanding the defense, and Reaves and Vincent setting the tone daily, the Lakers might finally have the structure they’ve been missing.
For Jarred Vanderbilt, that’s what separates a talented team from a championship one: not just star power, but shared leadership and trust.
