he Los Angeles Lakers need Jake LaRavia to show whether he can be the player they hope for. They need him to prove he was worth the contract they offered him in the offseason to bring him to the purple and gold.
Flashes of potential hint at something bigger
He has shown flashes of tremendous potential at times throughout this season. On Friday night, against his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies, he offered a glimpse of just how good he can be.
LaRavia exploded for 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block in 37 minutes of action. He also came up huge down the stretch, hitting a clutch three to seal the 128–121 win.
If the Lakers are serious about contending, they can’t afford the inconsistent version of LaRavia, they need the do-it-all, energizing version every night.
LaRavia has averaged 11.5 points, six rebounds, and 2.5 assists as a starter this season, but the numbers only tell part of the story. With Rui Hachimura sidelined with a calf injury, he has brought movement, effort, and versatility that the Lakers’ lineup often lacks.
LaRavia cuts hard, sets screens, crashes the boards, and defends multiple positions, creating opportunities for the big names in Luka Doncic and LeBron James, while making the team feel sharper and more connected. Even when his shot is not falling, he contributes in ways that truly matter late in games.
While the Lakers have explored trading for a 3-and-D wing, LaRavia should not be on that table. At just 24 years old, in his fourth season and with only 168 career games, he has room to grow. He has already shown flashes of the type of confident, versatile play that could make him a cornerstone of the roster.
A player like Hachimura, on the other hand, is more established and would likely return more value in a trade. Hachimura has been having a great season, shooting a scorching 44.5 percent from beyond the arc, but his role does not really mesh well with the other starters. Dalton Knecht is another name that could be included in trade talks.
Friday’s performance was a reminder of why LaRavia matters. When he is on, the Lakers feel different, faster, more aggressive, more capable of closing out games. The question now is whether he can sustain it consistently. If he does, he is not just a role player; he isa key reason the Lakers can compete for a championship.