The Los Angeles Lakers have officially made a significant move in the NBA free agency period, agreeing to a two-year, $12 million contract with free agent forward Jake LaRavia. The agreement, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on July 1, 2025, signals the Lakers’ strategic approach to bolstering their roster while maintaining future financial flexibility.
This acquisition comes immediately after the departure of veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets. Finney-Smith’s move opened up the Lakers’ full $14.1 million midlevel exception, which they promptly utilized to secure LaRavia. Finney-Smith, 32, had been a valuable contributor for the Lakers, averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 43 games last season, and was recognized for his effective defense despite recovering from left ankle surgery, as reported by ESPN.
Jake LaRavia, a 6-foot-7 (2.01m), 235-pound (107kg) power forward, is a familiar face to Southern California, having been born in Pasadena, California. His return to his home state adds a personal narrative to this professional transition. LaRavia, 23, was originally selected 19th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His draft rights were subsequently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent the majority of his early career. In February 2025, LaRavia was part of a three-team trade that sent him from the Grizzlies to the Sacramento Kings, as detailed by Wikipedia.
Throughout the 2024-25 NBA season, LaRavia played a combined 66 games for both the Grizzlies and Kings. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, showcasing efficient shooting splits of 47.5% from the field and an impressive 42.3% from three-point range, according to Basketball-Reference.com. His performance saw a notable uptick during his stint with the Kings, particularly in March, where he averaged 8.6 points on 48.1% shooting, including 43.9% from beyond the arc over 12 games (ESPN). LaRavia is recognized for his tenacious defense and developing playmaking capabilities, making him a promising “3-and-D” asset.
The Lakers’ decision to sign LaRavia on a two-year deal is a calculated move that aligns with their long-term roster construction goals. This contract structure not only adds a versatile young talent but also preserves crucial financial flexibility. As highlighted by Sports Illustrated, LaRavia’s age and the contract terms mean the Lakers will be able to re-sign him using early Bird rights in the summer of 2027. This period is significant as the team anticipates having substantial cap space available to pursue a max-salary free agent, demonstrating the Lakers’ disciplined approach to managing their salary cap, as noted by ESPN.
LaRavia expressed his excitement about joining his hometown team, sharing on Instagram, “Hope Lakers fans as exited as I am. Let’s work.” (Sports Illustrated). His enthusiasm for this new chapter is palpable, and Lakers fans will undoubtedly be eager to see his contributions on the court.
The signing of Jake LaRavia represents a promising and strategic acquisition for the Los Angeles Lakers. They gain a young, versatile forward with a strong shooting touch and defensive potential, all while maintaining crucial flexibility for future high-impact moves. As LaRavia returns to his roots, his integration into the Lakers’ system will be a key storyline to watch as the team continues its pursuit of championship contention.
