RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt might consider a career-changing move after their recent trip to Slovenia to spend time with Luka Doncic.
Doncic invited all his Lakers teammates for the 2026-27 season to his home country of Slovenia, getting to know the players on the massively adjusted roster before a new season.
One of the Lakers players who seemed to have a blast was 27-year-old Vanderbilt, who might be considering a drastic move that a former Lakers teammate made regarding Doncic.
Jarred Vanderbilt says he’s considering getting a Slovenian passport after Lakers trip
Vanderbilt gave an interview before the Lakers left Slovenia, where he mentioned he is trying to get a Slovenian passport.
“It was amazing… The trip was great. I would love to (come back to Slovenia)… I’m looking to get a Slovenian passport. We’ll see. Might be part Slovenian.”
Vanderbilt was teammates with Jaxson Hayes for three seasons. Hayes got a Slovenian passport to represent the national team alongside Doncic in future competitions earlier this year.
Vanderbilt might be looking to make a similar move to bolster Doncic’s Slovenian squad, especially because he is unlikely to represent Team USA at this point in his career.
The defensive specialist averaged 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds last season.
Luka Doncic bringing reinforcements from his Lakers tenure to Slovenia
If Vanderbilt also joins Slovenia alongside Hayes to bolster their national team, it would be clear evidence that Doncic has recruited role-playing teammates to switch nationalities just to play international basketball for Slovenia.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Given Doncic’s play style as an offensive engine, players like Hayes know they can get a featured role alongside Doncic on an otherwise weak Slovenian national team.
Vanderbilt might have severe offensive limitations, but he would easily be the best defender on the Slovenian national team if he were to join.
His size and athleticism would complement FIBA-style basketball, with Doncic’s incredible scoring still needed to make up for Vanderbilt’s poor scoring.
Joining Luka in Slovenia isn’t a guarantee of a future with the Lakers, as Hayes left LA this summer as a free agent, so Vanderbilt’s spot as a Laker likely isn’t determined by his national team association.
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