Dillon Brooks calls out Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt as ‘dumb NBA player’

The Los Angeles Lakers are back in the center of NBA drama after Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks took a surprising shot at Jarred Vanderbilt during a viral interview clip shared by Fullcourtpass. The comments quickly spread across social media and sparked debate among Lakers fans.

Some believed Brooks was disrespecting Vanderbilt, while others felt the Suns forward was actually pointing to the Lakers defender’s untapped potential. The timing only added more intrigue because both Los Angeles and Phoenix were recently swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the playoffs.

During the interview, Brooks was asked to name a “dumb NBA player.” He answered without hesitation.

Dillon Brooks called Jared Vanderbilt a ‘dumb NBA player’

"I'm going to throw a shot. I can't even lie. This guy doesn't even like me, to be honest with you. Jared Vanderbilt. On the Lakers. They call him Vando”

(h/t @PurpGoldLakers) pic.twitter.com/6th3eIlsCI

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 16, 2026

“Jarred Vanderbilt. One of the Lakers,” Brooks said.

The room reacted with confusion before Brooks expanded on his answer. “Yeah, he plays for the Lakers. But he’s like a rebounder, can’t shoot. He got a long ass arm. Defense.”

Then Brooks explained what actually frustrated him. “I just think he’s got way more potential, he’s not untapping.”

That final comment quickly changed the tone online. The criticism sounded harsh at first. Still, many fans believed Brooks was actually acknowledging Vanderbilt’s athletic tools and defensive upside.

Lakers-Suns tension keeps growing

Jarred Vanderbilt mostly played off the bench this season, but he remained an important part of the Lakers rotation. He averaged 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 17.4 minutes across 65 games. His value has never centered on scoring, instead, it comes from hustle, energy, and defensive pressure.

Under the playoff lights, Vanderbilt often changes games with hustle and defense alone. That style keeps him popular among Lakers fans even with modest offensive numbers. Dillon Brooks, meanwhile, continues embracing the NBA villain role. That edge followed him from Memphis to Phoenix, and now it has dragged the Lakers into another headline.

The irony is hard to ignore. The Thunder swept the Suns in the first round, then swept the Lakers in the semifinals. Both teams left the postseason searching for answers.

Now, with another Lakers-Suns storyline heating up, fans can only wonder how personal the next matchup might become.

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