Rob Pelinka made a bold statement on Jake LaRavia.
Rob Pelinka Addresses Controversial Lakers Signing With Bold Statement originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Lakers made a controversial free agent signing on Monday, June 30 as they added former Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia to their team, signing the Wake Forest alum to a two-year, $12 million deal according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The 23-year-old LaRavia averaged 8.6 points per game on 48.1% shooting including 43.9% from three-point range last year while adding 3.3 rebounds during a 12-game stint with the Kings last season after he was dealt to the California based team from the Memphis Grizzlies.
He finished the season with averages of 6.9 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game before earning his offseason deal and sharing a message with Lakers nation.
"Hope Lakers fans as excited as I am," LaRavia wrote on Monday. "Let's work."
On Sunday, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka revealed his thoughts on the LaRavia signing, painting the picture of a player who is regarded as a perfect fit for coach JJ Redick's system.
"Jake is a high IQ two-way player with ideal skills for a JJ Redick basketball system," Pelinka said according to Dave McMenamin, a Lakers reporter.
"He's a disruptive defender who uses his size and physicality to create turnovers. Offensively, he can score at all three levels and has a knack for creating space for himself and his teammates."
Rob Pelinka on the Lakers’ Jake LaRavia signing, from the team’s release: “Jake is a high IQ two-way player with ideal skills for a JJ Redick basketball system. He’s a disruptive defender who uses his size and physicality to create turnovers. Offensively, he can score at all…
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 7, 2025
"LaRavia>DFS (Dorian Finney-Smith)," one Lakers fan wrote on X.
"Hope he brings energy to the court!" another added.
"I hope he's right," still another fan said.
"Ask him (if) he is considering more trades please," another fan stated.
Related: Dalton Knecht's Summer League Struggles Spark Concern Among Lakers Fans
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
