McMenamin, Dave
Based on Dave McMenamin’s reporting and other sources, here’s an article detailing the Lakers’ agreement with Jake LaRavia:
Headline: Lakers Bolster Wing Depth, Agree to 2-Year, $12 Million Deal with Jake LaRavia
By [Your Name/Outlet], Citing ESPN’s Dave McMenamin
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Lakers continued their offseason roster retooling on Tuesday, reaching an agreement with forward Jake LaRavia on a two-year contract worth $12 million, according to ESPN’s senior NBA reporter Dave McMenamin.
The Deal:
- Terms: 2 years, $12 million (fully guaranteed).
- Source: First reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
- Mechanism: The Lakers are using a portion of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NT-MLE) to sign LaRavia. This leaves them with flexibility to potentially add another player using the remaining MLE or explore other avenues.
The Player: Jake LaRavia
- Profile: A 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward entering his third NBA season.
- Draft: Selected 19th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2022 NBA Draft, immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
- Career Stats (Memphis): Averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in 65 games over two seasons. Played limited minutes (12.7 per game).
- Strengths: Known for his shooting potential (career 35.1% from three on limited attempts), high basketball IQ, and versatility. Can play both forward spots, handle the ball some, and make smart passes. Was a highly efficient scorer and playmaker in college at Wake Forest.
- Recent Performance: Showed significant promise during the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, demonstrating improved confidence and offensive aggression, reminding scouts of his pre-draft potential. This performance likely bolstered the Lakers’ interest.
Why the Lakers Made the Move:
- Wing Depth & Shooting: The Lakers prioritized adding size and shooting on the wing behind LeBron James and potentially Rui Hachimura. LaRavia fits the archetype of a modern “3-and-D” forward with potential for more.
- Youth & Upside: At 22 years old, LaRavia represents a young player with untapped potential. The Lakers are betting on their development staff to help him realize the skills that made him a first-round pick, particularly his outside shot and decision-making.
- Cost-Effective Gamble: At $6 million per year, the contract is a relatively low-risk investment for a player with LaRavia’s draft pedigree and recent Summer League showing. If he develops into a reliable rotation piece, it becomes excellent value.
- Versatility: His ability to potentially play multiple positions and contribute in different ways (shooting, secondary playmaking, rebounding) adds flexibility to Coach JJ Redick’s rotation.
The Memphis Context:
LaRavia struggled to find consistent minutes or a defined role in a deep and often injured Grizzlies frontcourt over his first two seasons. Injuries also hampered his progress. Memphis declined his fourth-year rookie option earlier this offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers see an opportunity to acquire a talented young player who needed a change of scenery.
What This Means for the Lakers:
- LaRavia immediately becomes a candidate for rotation minutes, competing with players like Cam Reddish, Maxwell Lewis, and potentially others for playing time at the forward spots.
- The signing addresses a need for more wing depth and shooting, which was inconsistent last season.
- It signals the Lakers’ continued strategy of blending veteran stars (LeBron, AD) with younger, athletic role players on value contracts (like Gabe Vincent last year, and now LaRavia).
- The Lakers still have the remainder of their mid-level exception and veteran minimum spots to fill out the roster, with needs potentially including another ball-handler and/or center depth.
Quotable Context (Based on Reporting):
“LaRavia showed glimpses in Memphis but never found his footing. The Lakers are betting on his Summer League performance being a sign of things to come and that a fresh start in a system potentially valuing his skill set will unlock his potential,” noted McMenamin in his reporting.
Outlook:
The signing of Jake LaRavia is a classic Lakers “upside play.” They’ve identified a young, former first-round pick whose value is low but whose talent and recent play suggest he could outperform his new contract. If he develops into a reliable rotation shooter and defender, this deal will look like a steal. If he struggles to earn minutes or his shot doesn’t translate consistently, it remains a manageable contract on the books. For now, it adds youth, size, and potential shooting to the Lakers’ quest to build a contender around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Key Points Recap:
- Deal: 2 years, $12 million (fully guaranteed).
- Source: First reported by Dave McMenamin (ESPN).
- Player: Jake LaRavia, 22-year-old forward, former 1st-round pick (2022).
- Lakers’ Motivation: Add wing depth, shooting potential, youth, upside at a reasonable cost.
- Mechanism: Part of Lakers’ Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception.
- Context: Struggled for minutes in Memphis; impressed in 2024 Summer League; Lakers betting on development.