Jake LaRavia

LaRavia is the kind of forward whose value rarely shows up loud on a stat sheet but shows up constantly on the floor. Drafted 19th out of Wake Forest in 2022, his rights landing in Memphis, he spent two developmental seasons with the Grizzlies before a 2024-25 move to Sacramento unlocked his shooting — he hit a career-best 44% from three across 47 games. That stroke earned him a two-year deal with the Lakers in the summer of 2025, and he answered by suiting up for all 82 games in his first season there. What makes him valuable is connective: he defends at the point of attack, moves the ball, and spaces the floor without needing plays run for him. He is a role player who makes stars' jobs easier — the glue a contender quietly needs.