Could Jake LaRavia Interview Hint at Interest in the Lakers?

With NBA free agency getting underway in about a week, rumors have been swirling all over the league. The Lakers are a team that is always attached to the biggest stars in the league. This off-season has been the same.

With the team currently having two max-contract players, assuming LeBron returns, the Lakers’ plan to improve will mainly happen through trade. There are always diamond-in-the-rough type of players available for a cheaper price, though.

Austin Reaves and Jake LaRavia friendship

On the Front Office Show, @KeithSmithNBA and I just did a nearly 30 min interview with Kings forward Jake LaRavia. We had no idea who was driving the car. This is the end of that interview… pic.twitter.com/LbeELc9Ak4

— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) June 19, 2025

This is where the name Jake LaRavia comes in. LaRavia was in a recent interview with the NBA Front Office podcast with Keith Smith and Trevor Lane. He was asked if there was any possible way he could leave Sacramento to head to Los Angeles, and he moved his camera over to show Austin Reaves in the driver’s seat of the car.

potential fit with the lakers

LaRavia isn’t the flashiest player, but he’s the type of player who could thrive in a bench role for LA. He is coming off a season where he averaged seven points per game over his time with the Grizzlies and Kings, and he finished the season shooting a career-high 42% from three-point range. He has also shown signs of being an effective defender with his 6’8 frame, where he is able to match up with guards and bigs.

The Lakers can always use someone who shoots the ball effectively from behind the arc. With LaRavia also being born in Pasadena, CA, this all seems meant to be. Laravia mentioned that he can see himself in Sacramento, but he does feel like he has earned a decent pay day and is unsure if Sacramento is ready to make that commitment.

Reaves may be learning a little bit from LeBron James when it comes to recruiting players. Soon, we will find out if LaRavia will join his buddy and team up in Los Angeles.