{"id":160954,"date":"2025-09-29T22:04:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T02:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=160954"},"modified":"2025-09-29T22:04:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T02:04:20","slug":"lakers-jake-laravia-breakout-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/09\/29\/lakers-jake-laravia-breakout-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Believe 6’8″ Wing is in Line for Breakout Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the many storylines that emerged during Lakers Media Day was the addition of <\/span>Jake LaRavia<\/span><\/a>. The 23-year-old wing was LA\u2019s first free agent signing when the gates opened on June 30, and the buzz around his potential has grown with camp on the horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Believe 6’8″ Wing is in Line for Breakout Season<\/b><\/h2>\n

High Praise for LaRavia<\/b><\/h3>\n

LaRavia, a Pasadena native, put pen to paper on a two-year, $12 million deal with LA after previous stops with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. But with the Lakers adding a <\/span>former No. 1 overall pick<\/span><\/a> and a <\/span>recent Defensive Player of the Year<\/span><\/a>, LaRavia\u2019s name tends to get lost in the shuffle.<\/span><\/p>\n

That trend appeared to end last week, and came to a full stop during media day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pelinka and Redick<\/b><\/h4>\n

While evaluating the team\u2019s offseason acquisitions at a Friday press conference, <\/span>GM Rob Pelinka singled out LaRavia<\/span><\/a> as an ideal fit with <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that LeBron and Luka both have thrived with players that have that 3-and-D component. We felt like Jake LaRavia is a young player that is really good now and has a lot of growth left in him.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Head coach JJ Redick also touched on <\/span>LaRavia\u2019s impact<\/span><\/a>, citing how he\u2019s a great supplement to LA\u2019s title aspirations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo get a young player in free agency for a team that\u2019s trying to win a championship, it\u2019s an incredible opportunity for myself and our player development department, to have [LaRavia] continue to grow. I\u2019m very high on him. His level of commitment to what we\u2019ve asked of the guys this offseason has been very high.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

LeBron and Reaves<\/b><\/h4>\n

James even reminded the media of LaRavia\u2019s presence<\/a> Monday, adding, \u201c[He\u2019s] a big wing who can shoot the ball, handle the ball, his toughness. [He\u2019s] sneaky athletic as well. It\u2019s going to be great for our ball club.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And <\/span>one of the latest voices<\/span><\/a> to heap praise on LaRavia was <\/span>none other than his buddy<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI honestly think Jake\u2019s going to have a really, really, really good season. His size, his speed, his athleticism. He can guard almost every position on the floor. I think if you go back and watch him when he was in Memphis, or the really short stint he had in [Sacramento], he had really, really good performances not just on the offensive side, but on the defensive side\u2014being active, getting deflections, stuff like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Sep
Sep 29, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LaRavia\u2019s Role and Chances for Breakout Year<\/b><\/h3>\n

LaRavia will be a key 3-and-D wing off the bench for LA and, as Pelinka mentioned, should fit in seamlessly with James and Doncic. When discussing his role during media day and fit alongside LA\u2019s stars, LaRavia <\/span>said<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can complement Austin, Luka and LeBron very well and how they play. Just providing the spacing on the offensive side. And then defensively, just being able to take some pressure off of them by guarding the opposing team\u2019s better wing player. And then also, like I said about playing hard, making the winning plays, and getting on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026 I just go out there and I try and win every night. I try and impact winning, and obviously that\u2019s what the Lakers organization is about. So I\u2019m excited to put on a show.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With the Lakers\u2019 bench in need of two-way wings, LaRavia is the perfect addition on a team-friendly contract. He\u2019s a physical forward who can score from all three levels\u2014including, in certain cases, as a lob threat\u2014and remain <\/span>engaged on defense no matter the situation<\/span><\/a>, getting swipes and swats with his 6\u20199.5\u201d wingspan.<\/span><\/p>\n