The Los Angeles Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka made an effort to supply his generational 26-year-old phenom Luka Dončić with complementary role players, as the storied franchise added key veterans like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart in free agency.
Dončić will aim to lead the Lakers back to the mountain-top in his first full season with the team in 2025-26, but he won’t be able to do it alone.
Fortunately for the ex-Dallas Mavericks superstar, one NBA writer has suggested that one of Los Angeles’ more underrated additions from this summer could have a huge hand in solidifying their bench rotation. If given the right opportunity, it could be sharpshooting forward Jake LaRavia’s time to shine.
“LaRavia hasn’t exactly been a household name, playing just 136 games over his first three years in the league as he’s battled injuries,” HoopsHype’s Michael Shearer wrote Friday afternoon.
“But the new Los Angeles Laker is in a prime position to feast playing next to LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.”
“LaRavia will likely slot in as a high-minutes backup wing who can play anything from the two to the four. That flexibility should help him earn plenty of court time for a Lakers team that’s still rather top-heavy.”
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Los Angeles picked up the 23-year-old LaRavia on a two-year, $12 million contract to partially fill the void created by ex-Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith’s departure for the Houston Rockets in free agency.
With a spot opened up in head coach JJ Redick’s rotation, the versatile wing can inject plenty of life into the Lakers’ bench unit thanks to his lights-out three-point shooting and timely cutting ability.
In 66 regular season appearances while splitting time between the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings, LaRavia averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.9 steals. The Grizzlies’ former No. 19 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft also connected on a blistering 42.3% of his looks from distance, a mark that could land the incoming fourth-year forward a major role in the Lakers’ rotation.
Both Dončić and 21-time All-Star LeBron James have always relied upon consistent outside shot-makers to cap off drive-and-kick opportunities, and LaRavia appears to fit the bill of a valuable play-finisher.
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