Los Angeles Lakers swingman Jake LaRavia was signed with the goal of finally locating a wing with two-way value. It’s an ambitious level of pressure to place on LaRavia’s shoulders as a player who was signed to a two-year, $12 million contract that implies limited responsibility, but it’s the hand he’s been dealt.
LaRavia has already provided value on the defensive end of the floor, and after a slow start on offense, it appears he’s finally gotten the message in regard to what the Lakers need.
LaRavia attempted a total of seven field goals in 44 minutes between his first two appearances with the Lakers. He shot 4-of-7 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, but failed to pair volume with efficiency along the way.
Thankfully, LaRavis attempted 10 field goals in 33 minutes during his third showing with Los Angeles—exactly what the team needed from him.
LaRavia shot just 3-of-10 from the field, which is clearly less than ideal, but the increase in volume was a welcome development. It also coincided with an increase in all-around production, as he finished with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two three-point field goals made.
Even with lackluster efficiency, LaRavia gave the Lakers exactly what they needed: A rare source of offensive production from the second unit.
Jake LaRavia is finally providing the offense Lakers’ bench needs
Los Angeles has constructed a second unit that has the potential to play at a high level on the defensive end of the floor. That’s already begun to take hold, with the likes of Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt making their mark in that essential area.
What the Lakers’ bench has lacked early in 2025-26, however, is the same thing they were devoid of in 2024-25: Reliable scoring contributions from bench players.
Los Angeles ranked No. 29 in the NBA in points per game via reserves during the 2024-25 regular season. That inevitably overburdened the starters with shouldering an unsustainable workload, which the team admirably overcame to turn in a 50-win campaign.
Addressing past flaws, however, is essential to building upon past success—and LaRavia is the best option the Lakers have to do so among those receiving playing time.
Perhaps there’s a scenario in which Dalton Knecht receives consistent playing time and LaRavia can settle into a more relaxed role. Knecht is the most productive scorer the Lakers’ second unit has to offer, as well as the most proficient three-point shooter.
Knecht has played a total of 20 minutes in three games, however, thus pointing to LaRavia as the more likely option for the goal of generating offense via the second unit.
LaRavia has an advantage over Knecht as a productive playmaker who can create for those around him, as well as himself. He averaged 4.2 assists per 36 minutes in 2024-25, and has all of the tools to emulate that production in 2025-26.
Thankfully, LaRavia is shooting with more confidence and creating for those around him with the poise and production Los Angeles desperately needs from him.
