The Los Angeles Lakers might have one of the league’s best bargains in Jake LaRavia. He’s a versatile two-way wing that’s only getting paid $6 million this season. In today’s NBA, that’s an absolute steal — just take a look at what other quality 3-and-D wings are making around the league. LaRavia’s combination of intelligence, efficiency, and defensive edge is turning him into one of the Lakers’ most indispensable pieces and a seamless fit with one of the league’s best trios.
A Star Emerging in the Shadows
Over the past week, LaRavia has turned heads with a stretch that’s hard to ignore — 65 points over his last three games, shooting 50 percent from three and providing the kind of two-way steadiness that coaches dream about. Against Miami, he erupted for 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting, a performance that prompted.
Defense, Discipline, and Deflections
Jake LaRavia isn’t the flashiest player. His moves are a little stiff, maybe even a bit awkward at times. But once you watch him for a few possessions, you realize why he’s so valuable. His game isn’t about flash — it’s about the little things that actually win games: the deflections, the smart cuts, the extra pass, the perfectly timed rotation.
He’s currently fifth in the NBA in deflections, which says everything about how he plays. It’s about anticipation, effort, and knowing where the ball is going before everyone else does. If you pay attention, you’ll notice he’s almost always in the right place — sliding into passing lanes, poking the ball loose, and quietly turning defense into offense before anyone else realizes what happened.
Confidence Born from Opportunity
What’s just as impressive is how seamlessly he’s found his rhythm offensively. With Gabe Vincent sidelined, LaRavia’s role expanded — more touches, more confidence, and far more aggression. His shot attempts jumped from single digits to double digits nightly. He’s rewarding the faith of the coaching staff with efficient scoring and unselfish decision-making.
The Ideal Sixth Man for a Title Contender
LaRavia’s value isn’t just statistical — it’s structural. He bridges the gap between the Lakers’ star-driven starting five and their bench units. He’s big enough to guard wings, skilled enough to handle the ball, and calm enough to serve as the connective tissue when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves rest. In Redick’s motion-heavy offense, those qualities are priceless.
At roughly $6 million a year through 2027, the Lakers are getting top-tier production at a fraction of the cost. Every contender dreams of a player who can stabilize the second unit, defend multiple positions, and still get you 20 on a hot night. For the Lakers, that player might already be wearing purple and gold — and his name is Jake LaRavia.
If this rise continues, he won’t just be a bargain. He’ll be the Lakers’ sixth man of the year candidate — and the glue holding their contender core together.
