The Los Angeles Lakers have signed swingman Jake LaRavia with the aim of finding a versatile wing player who can contribute on both ends of the floor. Although the pressure on LaRavia, who inked a two-year, $12 million contract, may seem ambitious considering it implies limited expectations, he is stepping up to the challenge.
Early in the season, LaRavia showcased his defensive skills, but his offensive performance was sluggish. In his first two games, he managed only seven field goal attempts in 44 minutes, coming in with a shooting percentage of 57%. However, he struggled to maintain high-volume efficiency during this time.
In his third appearance for the Lakers, LaRavia responded to the team’s needs by significantly increasing his level of aggressiveness, attempting 10 shots in just 33 minutes. While he finished with a less-than-ideal shooting percentage of 30%, his all-around contribution was noteworthy, as he accumulated 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two made three-pointers. This performance was vital in providing much-needed offensive support from the bench.
The Lakers are in a phase of building a second unit capable of competing at a high level defensively, with the likes of Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt already impacting games on that front. However, the team has faced challenges in generating reliable scoring from bench players, a recurring issue from the previous season when they ranked nearly last in points per game from their reserves.
Addressing this shortfall is crucial for the Lakers’ success, and LaRavia now stands out as a key option in achieving that goal. The emergence of rookie Dalton Knecht could also play a role in Los Angeles’ rotation. Knecht, who has shown potential as a scorer and sharpshooter, has only played a limited number of minutes thus far. This puts LaRavia in a prime position to continue developing his offensive contributions.
What sets LaRavia apart is his playmaking ability, which allows him to create scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates. His strong average of 4.2 assists per 36 minutes last season indicates that he has the tools to replicate that success moving forward.
With LaRavia gaining confidence and adapting to the role the Lakers need him to fill, there is a hopeful outlook for the bench’s performance as they hone their offensive capabilities. This progress suggests that, with time and practice, the Lakers are on the path to solving their previous scoring woes, positioning themselves for a stronger season ahead.