The Los Angeles Lakers have officially secured free agent forward Jake LaRavia, signing him to a two-year, $12 million fully guaranteed deal. The signing was reported by Shams Charania of the Athletic and later confirmed by Dan Woike, who labeled LaRavia as the Lakers “top wing target” following Dorian Finney-Smith’s commitment to Houston.
Lakers Prioritize Jake LaRavia for Wing Depth
After a strong 2024-25 season split between the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings, Jake LaRavia became a sought-after wing on the free agent market. The Larkers’ aggressive move underscores their belief in his upside, especially following his breakout performance for Memphis.
The Grizzlies had previously declined LaRavia’s fourth-year rookie scale option for the 2025-26 season, a decision later admitted being a miscalculation by Memphis GM Zach Kleiman. That opened the door for other teams to offer more than the $5.16 million salary the Kings could provide, and the Lakers took full advantage.
Strong Performance Across Two Teams
LaRavia averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 47 games this season, playing an average of 20.4 minutes per game. His Shooting line – .476 FG%, .423 3P%, and .678 FT%, demonstrated significant improvements, particularly from beyond the arc where he converted 44.4% of his attempts during his Memphis stretch.
Though his production tapered slightly after a trade to Sacramento at the deadline, he still delivered valuable rotation minutes off the bench and remained an efficient shooter and floor spacer.
Jake LaRavia Adds Valuable Depth to Lakers Roster
The addition of Jake LaRavia provides the Lakers with versatile, high-IQ wing who fits their need for perimeter shooting and oof-ball movement. With a fully guaranteed contract, L.A. is clearly investing in LaRavia as more than just a role player, he is expected to compete for meaningful minutes right away.
This signing marks a significant opportunity for Jake LaRavia to thrive in a larger market and under playoff pressure. If his recent momentum continues, he could emerge as a key contributor in the Lakers’ pursuit of a deep postseason run.
