The Los Angeles Lakers have been searching for the right supporting cast to complement their star trio of Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves-and in Jake LaRavia, they may have quietly found the blueprint.
LaRavia has emerged as exactly the kind of player championship teams are built on: a versatile, two-way contributor who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. He’s a capable shooter, a committed defender, and-perhaps most importantly-a guy who understands his role and executes it without ego. That’s gold in a locker room full of stars.
Signed to a team-friendly deal this offseason, LaRavia was a low-risk pickup who’s turned into a high-value piece. The 6’7” forward, a former first-round pick, slipped through the cracks when Memphis let him go.
The Lakers didn’t hesitate, and now that move is paying off. LaRavia, a lifelong fan of the purple and gold, has not only embraced the opportunity-he’s thrived in it.
He’s the only Laker to appear in all 45 games this season. That kind of durability and consistency doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by head coach JJ Redick, who didn’t hold back in his praise before the team’s Jan. 26 win over the Bulls. Redick called LaRavia “the definition of a Laker,” crediting him for doing whatever is asked-starting, coming off the bench, guarding multiple positions, spacing the floor, you name it.
Statistically, LaRavia’s numbers won’t jump off the page, but they tell the story of a player who’s embraced the grind. He’s averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in just under 28 minutes per game.
He’s shooting 46.4% from the field and 34.8% from deep-solid, efficient numbers for a player who often goes long stretches without a touch on offense. But that’s the reality of being a role player on a team with elite shot creators.
You have to stay ready, stay locked in, and make your minutes count.
Rui Hachimura recently spoke about that exact challenge-how tough it can be to stay engaged when the offense runs through the stars. But LaRavia?
He’s been locked in from day one. He’s not looking for the spotlight; he’s looking to win.
And that mindset is exactly what the Lakers need more of.
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming, the front office-led by Rob Pelinka-has some decisions to make. The Lakers aren’t positioned to make a blockbuster move unless something seismic shakes loose. But what they can do is hunt for more players in the LaRavia mold: guys who defend, knock down open shots, and don’t need plays run for them to make a difference.
Right now, the roster has too many one-way players-guys who can shoot but can’t defend, or defenders who are offensive liabilities. That’s not going to cut it come playoff time. To compete deep into the postseason, especially in a loaded Western Conference, the Lakers need wings who can switch on defense, stretch the floor, and play within the flow of the offense without disrupting it.
Finding another LaRavia won’t be easy. Wings with size, shooting touch, and defensive chops are always in demand-and rarely cheap.
But if the Lakers want to maximize this season, they need to be aggressive in finding that next glue guy. The market may be thin right now, but things can shift quickly as the deadline nears.
Bottom line: LaRavia has set the standard for what the Lakers need in their supporting cast. He’s not a star, but he plays like someone who knows exactly how to help stars win. And if Los Angeles is serious about contending, they’d be wise to find another player-or two-cut from that same cloth.