Jarred Vanderbilt went to Slovenia for a Los Angeles Lakers minicamp and left considering a deeper commitment to Luka Doncic’s home country.
Following the Lakers’ team-building trip to Ljubljana, Vanderbilt told a Slovenian reporter that he was interested in obtaining a passport from the country.
“I would love to [return],” Vanderbilt said. “Not gonna lie, I didn’t know much about it before I came here, but it’s definitely a spot I will revisit.”
Then Vanderbilt delivered the unexpected admission.
“I was looking to get my Slovenian passport,” he said. “So we’ll see. Might be part of Slovenia.”
Vanderbilt’s tone suggested the remark was at least partly playful. There is no indication that he has formally started the naturalization process. Still, his response showed how warmly he embraced Slovenia during the Lakers’ four-day visit hosted by Doncic.
Jarred Vanderbilt Embraces Luka Doncic’s Home Country
Doncic organized and paid for the Lakers’ offseason gathering, which blended basketball workouts with sightseeing, dinners and other team-building activities.
Vanderbilt was among 16 Lakers players who made the trip. Rookie Cameron Carr was the only absence because he was required to attend the NBA’s rookie orientation program.
The Lakers concluded their stay by visiting families and newborns at a local hospital. Vanderbilt joked that the babies were not old enough to react to seeing NBA players, but the gratitude from their parents left an impression.
“The parents were very grateful,” Vanderbilt said. “Even for me, seeing a smile on their faces — I know they had just went through labor and stuff like that — it was amazing.”
Vanderbilt called the hospital visit a meaningful way to finish the trip and give back to the local community.
He would not be the first Doncic teammate to pursue Slovenian citizenship. Former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes officially obtained a Slovenian passport last season, making him eligible to represent the country alongside Doncic in international competition.
That bond offered Hayes no protection from the NBA’s business cycle. The Lakers allowed him to leave in free agency, and Hayes signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Utah Jazz.
His departure provides a timely caution for Vanderbilt: A Slovenian passport might strengthen his connection with the Lakers’ franchise player, but it cannot guarantee his future in Los Angeles.
Vanderbilt Remains Part of Lakers Trade Chatter
Vanderbilt has surfaced in reported trade concepts as the Lakers search for another frontcourt upgrade.
His name appeared in potential sign-and-trade scenarios involving Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga. Atlanta, however, reportedly had little interest in absorbing Vanderbilt’s contract. More recent conversations have included guard Jaden Hardy instead, according to NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin.
Vanderbilt is owed roughly $25 million over the next two seasons, including a player option for 2027-28. That contract makes him a logical salary-matching piece if Los Angeles attempts another significant move.
When healthy, Vanderbilt remains one of the Lakers’ most versatile defenders and strongest rebounders. He averaged 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.4 minutes across 65 games last season.
His 29.3% shooting from three-point range, however, complicates his fit alongside ball-dominant creators Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Vanderbilt may have departed Slovenia thinking about a new passport. After watching what happened with Hayes, he also understands that becoming part of Slovenia does not necessarily mean remaining part of the Lakers.
Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt Reveals Surprise Plan Amid Trade Rumors