Latest news with #JakeLaRavia
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
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Luka Doncic Helped Lakers Land Deandre Ayton And Marcus Smart While Getting Into Best Shape Of His Career
Luka Doncic Helped Lakers Land Deandre Ayton And Marcus Smart While Getting Into Best Shape Of His Career originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic may not have publicly addressed his future with the Los Angeles Lakers yet, but his actions behind the scenes this summer speak louder than any statement. With an extension decision looming on August 2, the 26-year-old superstar has already acted like the franchise cornerstone, recruiting key free agents, reshaping the roster to fit his vision, and undergoing a dramatic physical transformation that has teammates and rivals alike buzzing. Doncic reportedly played a central role in helping the Lakers land both Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. After both players unexpectedly became available via contract buyouts, league sources confirmed that Luka personally reached out, pitched the Lakers' vision, and helped close the deals. These weren't just random additions, they were exactly the kind of players Doncic requested. He had communicated to the front office his desire for a rim-running big, perimeter defense, and shooting depth. In response, the Lakers brought in Ayton, Smart, and sharpshooter Jake LaRavia, effectively checking every box. This proactive approach is a far cry from the uncertainty many expected after the stunning midseason trade that brought Doncic to Los Angeles. That deal one of the most seismic moves in recent NBA history, blindsiding Luka, who never imagined being dealt by Dallas. Yet rather than sulking or demanding immediate changes, Doncic has leaned in, committed to building something sustainable in Los Angeles. That commitment, insiders say, is one of the main reasons the Lakers remain optimistic about locking him into a long-term deal next month. And it's not just front-office collaboration that has people talking. Doncic has spent the offseason in Europe, but not for vacation. Instead, he's been focused on what many are calling a 'revenge glow-up,' getting into the best shape of his life ahead of EuroBasket. Gone is the lingering fatigue or soft conditioning critics used to target. In its place is a leaner, faster, and more explosive Luka, determined to silence doubters and dominate in his new purple-and-gold threads. Behind closed doors, the Lakers are thrilled. Head coach JJ Redick and GM Rob Pelinka reportedly believe this version of Luka Doncic is fitter, sharper, and more engaged, which could lead the team deeper than most expect. That optimism is only magnified by the supporting cast. Rui Hachimura is coming off his best season and shooting above 40 percent from deep. Austin Reaves and LeBron James will have a full training camp to build chemistry with Luka. And Ayton, in a contract year, has every reason to be the best version of himself alongside an elite pick-and-roll partner. Meanwhile, LaRavia will finally get steady minutes, and Smart, if healthy, brings Defensive Player of the Year pedigree to the backcourt. The Lakers have pulled this off while retaining their 2031 first-round pick and keeping young assets like Dalton Knecht. In a summer filled with chaos, the Lakers have quietly moved with clarity, and Doncic has been at the heart of it all. Now, all eyes are on August 2. Because if this is the version of Luka the Lakers get moving forward, the extension won't just be a formality, it'll be the start of something story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
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Sources: Lakers head to Las Vegas with intent to spark trade negotiations
The post Sources: Lakers head to Las Vegas with intent to spark trade negotiations appeared first on ClutchPoints. After a flourish of activity early in free agency, landing Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, the Los Angeles Lakers have stalled out a bit with work still clearly needing to be done. According to sources with an understanding of their offseason plans speaking on the condition of anonymity, the team is hoping to reignite trade talks as the entire league embarks upon Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. Previous trade targets include Andrew Wiggins and Robert Williams, among others, and a couple new names have garnered some attention given how the rest of the offseason has played out to this point. Sources say Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart (though most teams are watching to see if he's going to be bought out), Ayo Dosunmu and others are names the Lakers have had preliminary conversations with teams about availability and price, though no offers have been made. 'Rob (Pelinka) likes Vegas because he can just pull so-and-so aside and have a conversation that would otherwise take a little planning,' an Eastern Conference executive said. 'Summer league has become a real opportunity for all of us in that way.' As far as goals go, the Lakers are looking to open at least one and ideally a couple roster spots, plus gain full access to their bi-annual exception with a little room under the first apron, which they will be hard-capped at heading into the season. Ideally, sources say they would accomplish all that and land a more natural starting small forward (Rui Hachimura has played out of position the last couple years) while bolstering a bench that was among the least productive in the NBA a year ago. Lakers reserves were so bad that JJ Redick infamously made no substitutions in game four of their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He got so desperate that he inserted Maxi Kleber into their final game of the year even though he'd never even practiced for the Lakers. As currently constructed, the Lakers rotation runs about nine players deep, in terms of guys Redick would enter the season trusting to varying degrees: Starters Luka Doncic Austin Reaves Rui Hachimura LeBron James Deandre Ayton Bench Jake LaRavia Gabe Vincent Jarred Vanderbilt Jaxson Hayes Deep Reserves Jordan Goodwin Dalton Knecht Maxi Kleber Trey Jemison (two-way) Shake Milton likely to be traded or waived Shake Milton is almost certainly either going to be traded or waived before his July 20 guarantee date, according to sources close to the team. Let's say Milton is waived; that would leave the Lakers with one open roster spot and just under $4 million separating them from the first apron. They wouldn't be able to use their full bi-annual exception and, if they use whatever chunk of it they can, they'd be right up against the hard cap. Goodwin's contract isn't fully guaranteed until January 10, so he could technically be waived to open another roster spot and gain access to that full bi-annual exception. If he's waived, too, the Lakers could use that $5.1 million on a free agent and enter the season with an open roster spot and about $1.1 million separating them from the first apron hard cap. The Lakers did like Goodwin quite a bit last season and, given his low cap number, there's a good chance he'd be claimed off of waivers, so if the Lakers did go this route, it would be after turning over every other stone. Pelinka has typically preferred to enter campaigns with an open roster spot and a first-round pick in his back pocket. He also would probably prefer a little more space between him and the first apron given how much more difficult it can be to open cap space during the season. There's also the reported plan to maintain cap and draft flexibility for the next couple seasons as the Lakers are monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic's situations. It should also be mentioned the Lakers are keeping a very close eye on the buyout market. Bradley Beal is obviously the player the rest of the league is monitoring, but given how teams are operating in this new CBA, basically any veteran on an expiring contract is considered a candidate to be bought out. As a result, even while De'Anthony Melton has long been linked to the Lakers, sources say they're looking to maintain flexibility in case the right name becomes available, as Ayton did a week or so ago. The NBA will descend upon Las Vegas in a matter of days. Having the whole league in one place at the same time is a great way to stir up another wave of action. Pelinka and the Lakers hope to ride that wave to a deeper, more balanced roster that will hopefully convince Doncic to sign his extension in August and James to stop taking pictures with Cleveland Cavaliers. Related: Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James set to make NBA Summer League history Related: Lakers rumors: Insider thinks LeBron James is 'venting' instead of eyeing trade
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
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Woike: Lakers want flexibility to pursue second superstar soon
Several hours into the official start of NBA free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers, at least so far, look like losers. They lost forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, and at the same time, they have watched as one free agent center after another has gotten snatched by other teams. They did get 23-year-old forward Jake LaRavia, who is an underwhelming but possibly intriguing player, to agree to sign with them. There is still the possibility that center Deandre Ayton, who agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, will come. However, Lakers fans, by and large, are feeling pessimistic right now. If the Lakers do indeed end up having a weak free agency period, one reason could be that they're looking down the road. Dan Woike of The Athletic wrote that the team is looking to maintain flexibility in order to obtain a second superstar to pair with Luka Doncic. "As free agency begins, the Lakers are motivated not to sacrifice long-term flexibility as they begin to arm themselves for a potential run at another superstar to pair with Dončić as soon as next summer," wrote Woike. The thinking seems to be that there could be a superstar available in free agency in the summer of 2026 or 2027. Someone such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic could be had if they don't sign contract extensions with their current teams beforehand. Los Angeles is set to have a boatload of salary cap space next summer, especially since LeBron James picked up his player option for the 2025-26 season. It is starting to look like the James era is truly winding down for the franchise, as it shifts its focus in earnest to building a winning team around Doncic. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Woike: Lakers want flexibility to pursue second superstar soon
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sources: Lakers still want to improve point of attack defense
Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers have a good and perhaps a very good roster. They addressed their gaping hole at the center position by signing Deandre Ayton, who has career averages of 16.4 points on 59% field-goal shooting and 10.5 rebounds a game, and at age 26, he can still get better. While they lost 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency — and let's be real, it is a sizable loss — they added Jake LaRavia, a 23-year-old forward who is a deadly 3-point shooter and could have upward potential on the defensive end, especially when it comes to his individual defense. But what the Lakers don't have is high-level individual defenders at the guard and wing positions. With about two and a half months left in the summer, they could still make another move or two, and per The Athletic, they want to improve their ability to contain opposing lead guards. "The Lakers have additional roster work to do," wrote Dan Woike and Joe Vardon. "The team can create a roster spot by waiving guard Shake Milton, and team sources have said that improving the team's point of attack defense is a priority." De'Anthony Melton, a proven 3-and-D guard, is still available in free agency, as is Gary Payton II. Both are relatively athletic guards who are plus defenders and can space the floor on the offensive end as well. The Lakers have until July 20 to waive Milton. Waiving him would free up $3.9 million of their bi-annual exception to use on a free agent. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Sources: Lakers still want to improve point of attack defense
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rob Pelinka Explains Why Jake LaRavia Is The Perfect Signing For Lakers
Rob Pelinka Explains Why Jake LaRavia Is The Perfect Signing For Lakers originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers made Jake LaRavia their first signing in free agency, agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal with the forward. LaRavia is an interesting acquisition, and Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka believes he is a perfect fit for a team coached by JJ Redick. Advertisement 'Jake is a high-IQ two-way player with ideal skills for a JJ Redick basketball system,' Pelinka said. '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. Being just 23 years old, we think Jake has significant basketball upside, which will be honed nicely in our Lakers basketball development program.' LaRavia averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings in 2024-25. The 23-year-old shot 47.5% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc. LaRavia will have a positive impact on the offensive end for the Lakers thanks to his IQ and skill. If he can shoot as well as he did from beyond the arc last season, they'll be extremely happy about this acquisition. As for the other end of the court, LaRavia isn't as good a defender as Dorian Finney-Smith, who departed for the Houston Rockets. He can hold his own, though, and as Pelinka pointed out, is a disruptor. Advertisement Still, some were underwhelmed about LaRavia being a key addition for the Lakers. He isn't a big name, and the numbers don't jump off the screen either. Those who have faced off against LaRavia recognize he's a pretty good player, though. Damian Lillard came to his defense after Gilbert Arenas ripped the Lakers for the signing. LaRavia, the 19th pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, will get a chance to prove critics like Arenas wrong when the 2025-26 season commences. He is excited to be a Laker and will be keen on impressing from the get-go. The Lakers also officially signed Deandre Ayton on Sunday, and Pelinka spoke glowingly of the center. Ayton, LaRavia, and Adou Thiero, the 36th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, are the three notable additions to the roster this offseason. Do these three make the Lakers a serious title contender? Probably not. The Lakers struggled defensively in the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves and have only gotten weaker on that end of the floor with Finney-Smith's departure. Advertisement They need to bring in at least one quality wing defender, and they do have the pieces to pull off a trade for one. It will be interesting to see if they make that move and who they bring in. Related: Comparing Jake LaRavia To Dorian Finney-Smith: 9 Years Younger, $7.25M Cheaper This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
