Jake LaRavia: Lakers Forward – Bio, Stats, Contract & More

When a player gets traded mid-season, it’s easy to lose track of where they land. This profile covers his draft history, his new $12 million contract, and his 2025-26 season averages — all sourced from the league’s official data and major sports outlets.

Team: Los Angeles Lakers ·
Position: Power Forward ·
Height: 6’7″ (201 cm) ·
Weight: 235 lb (106 kg) ·
Draft: 19th overall, 2022 (by Minnesota) ·
Annual Salary: $6,000,000 (2025-26)

Eight key physical, contractual, and biographical facts about Jake LaRavia, one pattern: every figure is publicly verifiable through league and team sources.

What is Jake LaRavia known for?

Early life and college career

• LaRavia grew up in Pasadena, California, according to RealGM’s hometown listing.
• He played college basketball at Wake Forest, as confirmed by NBA.com official profile.

NBA journey

• Drafted 19th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022 (NBA.com official profile)
• Traded to Memphis on draft night, later moved to Sacramento Kings (per RealGM’s May 2025 team listing)
• Signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2025 (ESPN report)

Playing style and strengths

• Early 2025-26 stats from ESPN game log show 8.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, shooting 46.0% from the field and 32.2% from three.
• His size (6’7″, 235 lb) allows him to play both forward spots in small-ball lineups.

The implication: LaRavia’s ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions makes him a valuable rotation piece for the Lakers’ playoff push.

Was Jake LaRavia drafted?

Draft details

• Selected with the 19th pick of the 2022 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA.com official profile)
• Traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night in a deal that sent multiple picks to Minnesota.

Draft night reaction

• LaRavia was part of a pre-arranged trade, a common move for teams targeting specific rookie contracts.

Pre-draft projections

• Most mock drafts placed LaRavia in the late first round, projecting him as a 3-and-D forward with Wake Forest pedigree.

What this means: His draft position — 19th overall — confirms NBA front offices saw clear rotation potential in his skill set.

What is Jake LaRavia’s salary?

Current contract terms

• Signed a two-year, $12,000,000 fully guaranteed contract with the Lakers on July 6, 2025 (SalarySwish details)
• Annual salary for 2025-26: $6,000,000 (SalarySwish details)

Salary cap implications

• The Lakers used a portion of their $14.1 million midlevel exception to sign LaRavia, as reported by ESPN report.

The pattern: The Lakers used a portion of their $14.1 million midlevel exception to sign LaRavia, a move that balances short-term need with cap flexibility.

Who does Jake LaRavia play for?

Current team: Los Angeles Lakers

• LaRavia is listed as a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA.com official profile)

Previous teams

• Memphis Grizzlies (2022–2024) — played parts of two seasons, including G League assignments.
• Sacramento Kings (2024–2025) — RealGM’s May 2025 bio showed Sacramento as his team.

Role in the rotation

• LaRavia has appeared in more than 60 games for the Lakers, primarily off the bench as a power forward, providing spacing and rebounding.

The trade-off: The Lakers gain a young, cost-controlled forward who can step into the rotation, but his inconsistent three-point shooting (32.2%) limits his upside as a floor spacer.

What is Jake LaRavia’s height?

Physical measurements

• Listed at 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm) and 235 pounds (106 kg) by RealGM and NBA.com official profile.

Comparison to other forwards

• At 6’7″ with a strong frame, LaRavia is roughly average height for an NBA power forward — comparable to players like PJ Tucker or Jae Crowder.

Impact on play style

• His combination of size and agility lets him switch on defense and attack closeouts off the dribble.

Why this matters: LaRavia’s build enables him to play small-ball five in certain matchups, adding lineup flexibility for Lakers coach JJ Redick.

LaRavia’s path from a late-first-round pick to a Lakers rotation player shows that young forwards with three-point potential still attract roster investment. For Lakers management, the bet is $6 million a year on shooting improvement and defensive versatility. If his three-point percentage climbs above 35%, the contract will look like a steal. If it stalls, the salary remains movable as a trade asset.

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For a detailed look at Jake LaRavias trade history, including the multi-team deal that brought him to Los Angeles, the Canadian Brief offers a thorough breakdown.

Frequently asked questions