The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 NBA offseason with several questions to answer. After trading for Luka Doncic ahead of the deadline, the 17-time NBA champion finished third in the Western Conference standings before the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs.
With Doncic and LeBron James still expected to lead the team, the front office needed to find the right pieces to maximize their talents. The 2025 NBA free agency tipped off on Monday, with the purple and gold being linked to a couple of names, although not many moves have been completed so far.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Fans were unhappy after learning that the team prioritized Jake LaRavia over any other free agent. Dan Woike of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that once free agency opened and Dorian Finney-Smith decided to go to Houston, the Lakers placed their attention on the former Sacramento Kings' sharpshooter.
"According to league sources, LaRavia was the Lakers’ first call when free agency officially opened at 3 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday. In his conversation with Rob Pelinka and Lakers coach JJ Redick, LaRavia and his team were impressed with the ways Pelinka sold the strengths of the Lakers’ brand and Redick’s detailed vision for how he’d like to use the young wing."
After learning about this report, fans criticized the team on social media, questioning why a $6 million-per-year player was their first call.
"Per Dan Woike, LaRavia was the first call when free agency opened. Yeah the Lakers have a few things in the bag already if this is the first call made," one fan said.
"Lol the faith in this version of the front office is incredible," another fan said.
"Wow this is embarrassing that was Rob’s first call, please Walter clean house," a third fan wrote.
"The faith here is funny," a fourth fan added.
"Dallas has everything lebron wants idk why he continues to suffer with the lakers," a fifth fan said.
"Reminds me of when we called mozgov and deng first thing," a sixth fan wrote.
While they remain linked with a move for Deandre Ayton, Lakers fans want to see more activity from the team. The free market just opened, but not many think they are in a position to wait for long.