: Shortly after the 2025 offseason officially opened, the Los Angeles Lakers quickly finalized their first signing. They reached an agreement with former Grizzlies and Kings forward Jack LaRavia, signing a two-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $12 million. This signing also marks the first step for the Lakers to strengthen their rotation lineup this summer.

The 23- year-old Larabia played for the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings in the 2024-25 season, playing 65 games in the regular season, averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Although his statistics were mediocre, he was still favored by many teams with his outside shooting ability and good game energy. He finally chose to join the Lakers and became an important rotation puzzle of the Purple and Gold Army.

Larabia's three-point shooting ability once caused heated discussions. Well-known commentator Skip pointed out in a related report: " Larabia has a certain combat capability. He can be the igniter on the Lakers bench and inject energy into the team with stable outside shooting. Surprisingly, his three-point shooting rate is even higher than his free throw shooting rate. " However, Skip also bluntly said that Larabia's performance in assists, rebounds and defense is mediocre, and he is more suitable to play the role of the 8th or 9th round substitution.

It is worth noting that Laravia's joining is not only a reinforcement of the Lakers' lineup, but may also affect the future of the team's core LeBron James. James' agent and friend Rich Paul made it clear in a recent interview with ESPN that James pays close attention to every move of the Lakers during the offseason. In his view, the Lakers' team building ideas and lineup changes in the summer will directly affect whether James renews his contract or chooses to retire after the end of the 2025-26 season.

As the first signing of the Lakers in the free market this summer, LaRavia's arrival may not shock the league, but it sends a signal that the management wants to steadily improve the depth of the lineup at the role player level. As James' career enters a critical decision period, the Lakers' next reinforcement actions will inevitably be more precise and decisive in order to seize the last window to win the championship.

At present, it is generally believed that the Lakers will continue to look for strong reinforcements in the two positions of point guard and inside. Lalavia, a frontcourt player who can create space, hold the ball, and has certain game experience, is exactly the puzzle-like player that the Lakers need at this stage.