The Memphis Grizzlies weren't the only NBA team to make huge free agency noise on the first day, as the Los Angeles Lakers prioritized a former Grizzlies player in the midst of their various transactions. Jake LaRavia signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Lakers as they pivoted from the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith to the Rockets.
Once again, Finney-Smith and LaRavia miss out on becoming teammates after Finney-Smith was reportedly close to becoming a Memphis Grizzly through trade in December 2024. At that time, Jake LaRavia was a part of the Grizzlies' playing rotation while the team awaited the return of GG Jackson from injury.
LaRavia was the Grizzlies' first-round draft pick in the 2022 NBA draft, but struggled in his first two seasons in the league before a late-season surge in 2024 gave him hope for his NBA future. His impressive showing at the end of that season and in the Summer League last year wasn't enough for the team to exercise its team option to avoid free agency this offseason.
After providing good rotational minutes for the Grizzlies and leading them in games played during the first half of the season, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings at the February trade deadline in a salary dump ahead of his unrestricted free agency. His efficiency dipped in his time with the Kings, but he showed enough to be prioritized by the Lakers to begin free agency.
The Lakers have a player that will give his all
LaRavia was a player that the Grizzlies fanbase was split on based on his billing as the 19th pick of the 2022 NBA draft. He was drafted to be a spot-up shooter, but shot less than 34% from three in his first two seasons before being utilized for his off-the-dribble game. His being utilized in a role that fit him allowed him to shoot a career-high 44.4% from three last season before being traded to Sacramento.
While his shooting improved across the board last season, his defensive attention to detail is what made him a sought after free agent. The Grizzlies' defense took a steep drop after trading him last season, and while most pin that on Marcus Smart's absence, LaRavia played 47 games to his 19 with the Grizzlies last season.
Jake LaRavia is a player who will give 110% every time he's out there, and a Lakers team with LeBron James and Luka Doncic at the helm will appreciate the effort he will display on a nightly basis. The Grizzlies had different plans for LaRavia, but his time with the team was appreciated, and he proved that he can be a rotational player in the NBA.