The reigning G League MVP, Vander Blue, is returning to the Lakers. Again. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania the young guard has signed a two way contract to rejoin the team. Part of the final round of training camp cuts, Vander stayed in Los Angeles because it was inevitable that he would once again be signed by one of the Laker franchises training in El Segundo.
Blue was solid in Summer League action with Lakers but struggled to crack the regular rotation in preseason games. He joins Alex Caruso in signing the NBAs newly devised Two Way Contract which allows him to spend up to 45 days playing for the NBA squad. It remains to be seen if Blue will be joining the Lakers opening day or will be stashed in the G League as insurance against future injuries to Clarkson or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
It is hard to see how Vander Blue fits into Coach Walton’s preferred style of basketball. He tends to be a ball dominant gunner. That said, on a team that projects to have a hard time playing basketball, it never hurts to have someone that can score. Vander shot 35% from three last season and averaged 2.5 assists which means he technically does return the ball to other players.
With the season starting Thursday it looks like the roster is set for the 2017-18 season. As both a Laker and a South Bay Laker we’re hoping this is a breakout season for the young shooting guard who has the talent to play in the NBA. It takes a lot of will to battle down the road Vander Blue has traveled and it’s hard not to root for him to find a role in the professional ranks. If three Plumlee brothers can play in the NBA surely there is a place for Vander Blue.