Lakers Reportedly Called Jake LaRavia Before Any Other Player When Free Agency Started

Despite having a glaring need at center, the Los Angeles Lakers' first notable addition in free agency turned out to be Jake LaRavia.

Per The Athletic's Dan Woike, LaRavia was the first player Lakers officials called when the free-agent negotiating period opened on Monday at 6 p.m. ET.

"In his conversation with Rob Pelinka and Lakers coach JJ Redick, LaRavia and his team were impressed with the ways Pelinka sold the strengths of the Lakers’ brand and Redick’s detailed vision for how he’d like to use the young wing," wrote Woike.

The call worked, as LaRavia agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the Lakers, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Wing depth became a priority for the club after Dorian Finney-Smith opted out of his contract and agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets.

Finding a center figures to be the next priority for general manager Rob Pelinka, though the market isn't robust at this point. Brook Lopez, Clint Capela and Myles Turner are off the board, which leaves Deandre Ayton as the best available big man. He has been connected to the Lakers after taking a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers.

LaRavia is a bet by the Lakers on a young player who has shown flashes of promise in his career thus far. The 23-year-old shot a career-high 42.3 percent from three-point range on 2.2 attempts per game last season.

Playing next to Luka Dončić and LeBron James, who both command so much attention from defenses, should lead to a lot of open looks for LaRavia.

Austin Reaves is a developmental success story for the Lakers after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2021. LaRavia, who is the same age now as Reaves was when he entered the NBA, could be a great under-the-radar addition for the club if he continues on his current trajectory.