In a move that adds a fresh dose of youth, versatility, and upside to the roster, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially signed forward Jake LaRavia, the former Wake Forest standout and Memphis Grizzlies wing. The announcement came via a team press release early Monday morning, confirming what many insiders had suspected in recent days as the Lakers continue to reshape the roster under newly appointed head coach JJ Redick and front office architect Rob Pelinka.
LaRavia, a 6-foot-7 wing with the tools to impact the game on both ends, now joins one of the most scrutinized and storied franchises in all of sports—a franchise hungry for immediate results, even as it balances the tail end of LeBron James’ legendary career with the need to build a sustainable foundation for the post-LeBron era. With that high-wire act in mind, Pelinka made it clear that LaRavia wasn’t just a flyer or low-risk bet—he’s someone the Lakers view as a meaningful contributor.
“We’re thrilled to add Jake to the Lakers family,” Pelinka said during a press briefing. “He’s a high-IQ, two-way talent who fits the direction JJ Redick wants to go with this team—smart, positionless basketball, where guys can shoot, switch, and make reads quickly. Jake brings that in spades.”
LaRavia’s journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. A native of Indianapolis, he originally played at Indiana State before transferring to Wake Forest, where he blossomed into a do-it-all forward capable of stretching the floor, defending multiple positions, and making instinctive passes. That development earned him a first-round selection in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent the past two seasons fighting for minutes in a crowded, often injury-plagued rotation.
Though his time in Memphis featured limited playing time—averaging just under 12 minutes across 35 games in the 2023–24 season—LaRavia had moments that showcased the promise that made him a first-round pick. In one particular late-season outing against the Phoenix Suns, LaRavia exploded for 22 points off the bench, hitting five threes and flashing the offensive versatility and defensive awareness that the Lakers now hope to harness more consistently.
JJ Redick, entering his first season as head coach, has been clear about the kind of players he wants to fill out his rotation—guys who are coachable, competitive, unselfish, and able to make reads on both ends of the floor. LaRavia fits that prototype to a tee.
“I’ve watched a lot of Jake’s film, and what stands out is his feel for the game,” Redick shared after the announcement. “He doesn’t force things. He moves the ball, cuts with purpose, defends his assignment, and plays within the team concept. Those are the guys you win with. Those are the guys who elevate stars.”
For a Lakers squad that has sometimes struggled with depth, perimeter shooting, and wing defense, LaRavia represents a calculated addition with upside. He shot 38.1% from three in his final year at Wake Forest and displayed solid mechanics and shot selection in limited NBA minutes. What excites the Lakers most, however, is his ability to be a connector—a player who makes others better through subtle, intelligent decisions.
That element becomes even more important when building around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While the superstar duo still commands defensive attention and offensive gravity, the supporting cast has too often faltered under pressure, particularly in the postseason. With LaRavia’s skillset, the Lakers now add a low-usage option who can space the floor, move the ball, and guard multiple positions without needing to dominate touches.
Internally, there’s also excitement about how LaRavia could develop under Redick’s system, which is expected to draw from modern offensive principles—spacing, movement, read-and-react elements—rather than the isolation-heavy or post-centric styles that have bogged down the Lakers in recent years. Redick, a cerebral former player and podcast analyst turned coach, has often emphasized the value of players who can “play in 0.5,” a term used to describe decisions made within half a second.
“That’s where Jake is going to shine,” one Lakers assistant coach shared anonymously. “He doesn’t waste dribbles. He makes quick reads, whether that’s swinging the ball, cutting into space, or taking the open shot. And defensively, he’s better than people realize—great anticipation, active hands, good footwork. He just needs the reps.”
For LaRavia, the signing represents both an opportunity and a challenge. The Lakers are one of the most high-pressure environments in the NBA, where every performance is dissected and expectations are sky-high. But for a player like LaRavia—under-the-radar, hardworking, and hungry for a bigger role—that spotlight might be just what he needs.
“I’m excited and grateful for this next chapter,” LaRavia said in a statement released through his agent. “Joining the Lakers, with their history, their fanbase, and the guys on this roster, it’s a huge honor. I’m ready to do whatever it takes—defend, shoot, pass, whatever Coach Redick needs from me. I just want to help this team win.”
LaRavia’s contract terms were not publicly disclosed at the time of signing, but sources indicate it’s a multi-year deal with team flexibility—likely a partially guaranteed or team-option-heavy agreement that gives the Lakers financial control while giving LaRavia the chance to prove himself. This fits with Pelinka’s broader roster strategy of pursuing high-upside, low-cost contributors to complement a top-heavy salary structure dominated by James and Davis.
It’s also worth noting the timing of the signing. The Lakers have been relatively quiet in the early stages of free agency, largely due to cap constraints and ongoing uncertainty surrounding LeBron James’ future and whether the team will be able to lure another star or pivot to a more balanced roster approach. With many big names already off the board, LaRavia’s signing reflects a subtle shift toward finding underappreciated value—players who might thrive in expanded roles with better developmental infrastructure.
In Memphis, LaRavia struggled at times to carve out consistent minutes, in part due to the Grizzlies’ glut of young wings and injury turbulence. But his flashes of production, including efficient shooting splits in the G League and positive net rating numbers in select NBA lineups, hint at a player who could make a significant leap in the right situation.
In Los Angeles, he may have just found it.
Beyond the tactical reasons for the move, Pelinka also emphasized LaRavia’s character and professionalism—qualities the Lakers have increasingly prioritized after dealing with multiple locker room issues in past seasons.
“Jake is the kind of teammate every locker room needs—humble, hardworking, focused on the team first,” Pelinka said. “That matters. We want high-character individuals who come in every day with the mindset to get better. That’s how we build culture, that’s how we sustain success.”
As the Lakers now move deeper into the offseason—with Summer League, training camp, and further roster moves on the horizon—LaRavia will be closely watched. While not expected to start right away, he could very well find himself in the regular rotation if he impresses during camp. And given Redick’s own history as a former role player who maximized his tools, it’s likely the new coach will have a soft spot for players like LaRavia who understand the nuances of the game and bring intangible value that doesn’t always show up in the box score.
For fans in L.A., the signing may not generate the same buzz as a blockbuster trade or marquee free-agent splash, but it could prove quietly pivotal—especially if LaRavia blossoms into the reliable, two-way wing the Lakers have long needed to stabilize their bench unit.
In a league that increasingly values versatility, intelligence, and adaptability, Jake LaRavia arrives in Los Angeles with all three. Now it’s just a matter of opportunity—and if early signs from Redick and Pelinka are any indication, that opportunity is very real.
