The Los Angeles Lakers need role players around their star trio, and Jake LaRavia has quietly become the perfect option. He is a plus shooter and defender capable of doing whatever the team needs on a given night. Those are exactly the type of players the Lakers want around Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. They should be looking for more options like LaRavia before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
The Lakers signed the 6’7 forward to a bargain contract this offseason. The former first-round draft pick was mistakenly let go by the Grizzlies, and he was a fan of the purple and gold as a child. It was the perfect marriage, and things will only continue to look better from here.
LaRavia is the only Laker to appear in every game this season, and head coach JJ Redick sang his praises before the Jan. 26 win over the Bulls. He is quietly becoming the perfect role player, and the Lakers need more guys like that to become a serious title contender with Luka Doncic leading their charge.
Lakers must add the next Jake LaRavia before the trade deadline
Coach Redick gave LaRavia credit for doing whatever is asked of him and called him the definition of a Laker. Fans can read the coach’s full quote below.
Tonight is the Lakers’ 45th game of the season and Jake LaRavia is playing in his 45th game - the only Laker to do so. JJ Redick reflected pregame on what LaRavia’s meant to the program and offered up some major praise for the 24-year-old forward: pic.twitter.com/MQGsW4aSYm
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 27, 2026
LaRavia averages 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in 27.4 minutes per game this season. He has thrived as a starter and coming off the bench. The 24-year-old is shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 34.8 percent on his 3-point attempts. His versatility and adaptability have been crucial.
Rui Hachimura just explained how being a role player on the Lakers isn’t easy. LA will let their superstars cook. The role players may go full quarters without touching the ball, but the franchise still needs them to lock in on defense and do the little things. Hachimura is finally embracing that role, and LaRavia instantly bought in.
The Lakers need more LaRavia’s. Unless they trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles only has the assets to acquire a role player. He won’t be a focal point of the offense. LA will need him to knockdown open looks, play stout defense, and impact winning. That is the definition of a role player. Every championship team needs those options to boost them in the playoffs.
Rob Pelinka has too many one-way players on the Lakers roster. They need versatile options capable of defending multiple positions and sinking open looks. Los Angeles should be looking for another LaRavia. Finding a difference-making wing is never easy or cheap, but it is a must if the Lakers want to be a serious contender this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers need more players like Jake LaRavia, and the trade deadline is the perfect time to acquire the next option. Rumors suggest the wing market is virtually non-existent, but that could change as the deadline approaches. Expect LA to be active and aggressive. Fans should consider it a win if they can land another difference-making role player like LaRavia.