Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia has proven to be one of the most important signings of the 2025 offseason. With a fully guaranteed two-year, $12 million contract, LaRavia represented a low-cost investment in an up-and-coming talent who offers two-way value.
Though LaRavia hasn't individually resolved the Lakers' lack of ideal wing defense or developable talent, he represents progress and has brought the very best out of the Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves duo.
LaRavia is the only player on the Lakers' roster who has appeared in all 58 of the team's games thus far in 2025-26. That alone has made him worth the investment, as virtually everyone on the roster has dealt with some type of injury issues.
That includes the top of the rotation, as Doncic has missed 12 games, LeBron James has been absent from 18, and Reaves has been sidelined for 26.
In addition to being available, LaRavia has proven to be remarkably adaptable to the steady changes to his role and usage. He's started 33 of his 58 appearances, excelling alongside the Lakers' stars. He's also experienced success as arguably the most reliable player on the second unit.
Though LaRavia still has issues to resolve, including his lackluster three-point shooting, the 24-year-old is already maximizing the current value of the Doncic and Reaves star pairing.
Jake LaRavia is simplifying the game for Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves
Despite being a 24-year-old player in his first season with a new team, LaRavia has made a positive impact on Los Angeles' stars. Doncic, for instance, is averaging more points, assists, and free throw attempts per 75 possessions when LaRavia is on the court while shooting more efficiently from beyond the arc.
Reaves has experienced similar success, with massive jumps of 8.1 points per 75 possessions and 5.8 true shooting percentage points when LaRavia is on the floor.
There are still concerns over how the up-and-comer fits with the three-man core of Doncic, James, and Reaves. In 119 minutes together, however, the three-man lineup of Doncic, LaRavia, and Reaves are outscoring opponents by 17.9 points per 100 possessions.
Considering Doncic and Reaves are 28 or younger, and James is 41, there's reason to believe that LaRavia can help unlock the future of the franchise once the latter superstar either retires or joins a new team.
Unfortunately, LaRavia has played just 15 minutes all season alongside Doncic, James, and Reaves as a trio, per databallr. What he has accomplished in the interim, however, is proof of his adaptability and a display of two-way quality that includes his ranking in the 96th percentile in off-ball chaser defense and the 79th percentile in perimeter isolation defense, per Basketball Index.
At just 24 years of age with a mere $6 million owed to him for the 2026-27 season, LaRavia is one of the most important players on the roster in regard to their long-term future and unleashing Doncic and Reaves as the featured duo.