How under-the-radar offseason addition has fit 'seamlessly' with Lakers

Senior Editor
How under-the-radar offseason addition has fit 'seamlessly' with Lakers image

The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a hot 5-2 start to the 2025-26 NBA season, despite dealing with major injuries to superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

It's certainly in part thanks to Austin Reaves, who has stepped up big time in the absence of Doncic. In seven games this season, the Oklahoma product is averaging 31.3 points per game along with 9.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds.

But a Lakers summer addition has been making a major impact as well, and it's a lot more than what was expected of him.

Jake LaRavia's 'seamless' fit with Lakers

Former Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia, who signed a two-year $12 million deal with the Lakers over the summer, has been a revelation.

The 24-year-old has averaged 12.9 points per game, shooting 50% from three in seven games this season. He's been a perfect fit alongside the likes of Reaves and Doncic.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick raved about of the newest additions to the team, and his seamless transition into Los Angeles' lineup.

"He just has a really good feel. His knack for the basketball as a defender. His knack for the basketball as a rebounder. He just has a real intuitive feel for the game," Redick gushed via The Athletic's Dan Woike.

 His most recent outing against the Miami Heat may have been LaRavia's best and most efficient. He scored 25 points on absurd shooting splits, 77% from the floor and 66.6% from three-point range.

Clearly, the Lakers have found a gem in the 2022 first-round pick.

"A lot of my buckets are running past the defense in transition, just running harder than the other team and getting those dunks or those layups, and then just shooting the catch-and-shoot 3s when I get them," LaRavia explained after the Sunday night victory.

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