The Los Angeles Lakers have quietly found the biggest steal of the summer in Jake LaRavia. An intriguing two-way wing coming off of his best season to date, LaRavia was signed for a figure that goes well beyond the point of being team-friendly.
Whether or not it adequately fills the void left behind by Dorian Finney-Smith, the decision to sign LaRavia deserves praise as the most savvy signing of the 2025 offseason.
LaRavia was a first-round draft pick in 2022 who spent the better part of three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. He turned heads in 2023-24 by posting averages of 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 offensive boards, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.5 three-point field goals made in 23.0 minutes per game.
Unfortunately, availability and inefficiency proved detrimental to LaRavia's reputation—issues he seemed to resolve in 2024-25.
LaRavia appeared in 66 games in 2024-25 after playing just 70 between his first two NBA seasons. He also shot 42.3 percent from beyond the arc, including marks of 44.4 percent with the Grizzlies and 38.5 percent with the Sacramento Kings, which traded for him in February.
If LaRavia can continue to build upon the success he experienced in 2024-25, then the Lakers will have found the ultimate steal at just $6 million per season.
Jake LaRavia offers unique versatility at just $6 million per season
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LaRavia isn't just an improving three-point shooter with youth and upside in his corner. He's an active and engaged team defender who fights over screens, creates turnovers, and regularly seems to find himself in the perfect position to make a play.
Offensively, LaRavia's improving outside shot is only one element of what he brings to the table, as he's also effective as a cutter and playmaker.
That much is evident when translating LaRavia's 2024-25 season averages to a per-36 basis. By that metric, he posted 12.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.4 offensive boards, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made on .475/.423/.678 shooting.
If that's the version of LaRavia that the Lakers just signed for two years an $12 million, then the second unit could take a colossal step forward in 2025-26.
LaRavia lacks the consistent output that Finney-Smith has provided over his nine NBA seasons, but this was a cautiously ambitious move [to replace the veteran](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-path-reuniting-luka-doncic-p-j-washington-easier). LaRavia is a more dynamic offensive player, providing on and off-ball value versus the catch-and-shoot specialties that Finney-Smith relied on in Los Angeles.
That includes the ability to create for others, which should [help a Lakers bench](https://lakeshowlife.com/dalton-knecht-massive-training-camp-save-shocking-fate) that ranked No. 30 in assists per game during the 2024-25 season.
Furthermore, LaRavia's defensive consistency ensures that there won't be an individual drop-off in effort or intensity despite losing Finney-Smith. If his jump shot remains efficient, the Lakers will have found an ideal replacement for a fraction of the price.
With LaRavia playing for $6 million in 2025-26 and Finney-Smith receiving $12.7 million, Los Angeles has positioned itself to receive similar value for less than half the price in 2025-26.