Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday, breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we take a look at Jake LaRavia.
When the viral moment last season where a Minnesota Timberwolves fan asked “Who is No. 12?” with Anthony Edwards hilariously responding, “That’s what I’m saying! I don’t know,” Jake LaRavia was catapulted into a bright purple and gold spotlight. Excitement filled the air as it seemed the Lakers had found a surprise gem as he torched the Timberwolves for 27 points while shooting 5-6 from behind the arc that night.
He followed that up with a few more impressive games before hitting a brutal slump that lasted through March. His minutes continued to dwindle into the postseason, where he averaged 15 minutes per game against the Rockets and played in just two of the four games against the Thunder.
Now, with the addition of quite a few new players including Sandro Mamukelashvili, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Quentin Grimes, LaRavia might find himself being outshined by his teammates if he doesn’t tap into his “Who is No. 12?” identity again.
What is his best-case scenario?
The easiest answer is that he finds consistency. While the Lakers played their best basketball in March last season, LaRavia didn’t provide much offensive impact during that stretch. He went 6-25 from behind the arc for the month, only scored in double figures once, and only shot 43% from the field. He did have games, though, where his good effort, hustle and defense impacted the team.
If he could add an offensive bag to his hustle and effort, that would be his best-case scenario. He ended last season shooting 32% from behind the arc. LaRavia found himself open quite a bit, with attention often shifting to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, and he struggled to knock down those wide-open threes the team desperately needed.
LaRavia turning into a player who can impact the game on all cylinders adds an extra weapon to a new Lakers team that likely won’t struggle offensively but will need players to do a bit of everything.
What is his worst-case scenario?
Head coach JJ Redick went to LaRavia often last season, even in games he played badly, but that was mostly because the team wasn’t particularly deep. This upcoming season, with a team that has much more talent that can contribute in a multitude of ways, LaRavia’s minutes will likely start disappearing if he’s struggling.
Lakers fans may find themselves asking who number 12 is again, and this time it won’t be a fun viral moment. Was all that hype in the first half of last season just some random momentum he picked up? When his slump kept going and he showed no signs of improving, his worst-case scenario, you could say, started as soon as the lights shone too bright.
What is his most likely role on the team?
With Luka and Austin as the obvious two starters out of the five, LaRavia’s most likely role will be a battle with the newbies as well as Adou Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr, who shined in the Summer League. The best way he can earn minutes is by becoming a player who can contribute immediately when called upon, instead of someone who comes in, steals the ball a few times, but can’t consistently knock down triples. The Lakers likely have better versions of that type of player, particularly in Thybulle.
For many seasons, the Lakers have been in dire need of wing players. We saw LaRavia’s capabilities early on with a few stellar games and then a nice hustle performance here and there, so if he finds consistency, he’ll find the important minutes again.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
