Lakers Believe 6’8″ Wing is in Line for Breakout Season

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

Lakers Believe 6’8″ Wing is in Line for Breakout Season

High Praise for LaRavia

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 former No. 1 overall pick and a recent Defensive Player of the Year, LaRavia’s name tends to get lost in the shuffle.

That trend appeared to end last week, and came to a full stop during media day.

Pelinka and Redick

While evaluating the team’s offseason acquisitions at a Friday press conference, GM Rob Pelinka singled out LaRavia as an ideal fit with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

“We 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.”

Head coach JJ Redick also touched on LaRavia’s impact, citing how he’s a great supplement to LA’s title aspirations.

“To get a young player in free agency for a team that’s trying to win a championship, it’s an incredible opportunity for myself and our player development department, to have [LaRavia] continue to grow. I’m very high on him. His level of commitment to what we’ve asked of the guys this offseason has been very high.”

LeBron and Reaves

James even reminded the media of LaRavia’s presence Monday, adding, “[He’s] a big wing who can shoot the ball, handle the ball, his toughness. [He’s] sneaky athletic as well. It’s going to be great for our ball club.”

And one of the latest voices to heap praise on LaRavia was none other than his buddy, Austin Reaves.

“I honestly think Jake’s 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—being active, getting deflections, stuff like that.”