The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most intriguing teams to watch heading into NBA free agency. With the market officially open, some moves have already been made across the league.
As for the Lakers, they have made their first move of the free agency period. After losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, Rob Pelinka made a move to bring in an intriguing forward.
According to a report from ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Los Angeles has agreed to terms on a two-year, $12 million contract with former Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia.
Charania made his report in a post on X.
“Free agent forward Jake LaRavia has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote. “LaRavia had a strong finish after joining the Sacramento Kings last season.”
Read more: Lakers, LeBron James Rumors Receive Huge Update
At 23 years old, LaRavia will bring a solid all-around skill-set to the Lakers. He’s a good shooter and still has plenty of room to continue developing his game.
During the 2024-25 NBA season split between the Memphis Grizzlies and Kings, LaRavia averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.3 percent from the three-point arc.
LaRavia may not be a game-changing addition, but he has the talent and potential to become a rotation piece for Los Angeles. If he can reach his full potential, this move could end up becoming a steal.
More than likely, the Lakers are just getting started. They have been connected to quite a few potential center options, including Brook Lopez and Deandre Ayton.
In order for Los Angeles to be a top-tier NBA Finals contender, Pelinka will need to get creative. Led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the team has plenty of star power. Now, they need to improve their depth, especially on the defensive end.
Read more: Report: Mavericks Mentioned as Possible LeBron James Trade Destination
All of that being said, it will be interesting to see what the next few days have in store for the Lakers.
Expect to hear a lot more rumors about Los Angeles. It’s clear that the Lakers are planning to be busy this offseason. LaRavia is the first domino to fall for the franchise to begin free agency.
For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
The post Lakers Make Intriguing $12 Million Signing To Begin NBA Free Agency appeared first on Newsweek.
