The Los Angeles Lakers lost their top 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. But team president Rob Pelinka followed through on his earlier statement that they are going to get young and more athletic, signing 23-year-old wing Jake LaRavia as Finney-Smith’s replacement.
The 6-foot-8 LaRavia agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers, ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania reports. Finney-Smith bolted the Lakers to join the Rockets for a four-year, $53 million contract.
Losing Finney-Smith was a tough blow for the Lakers, who gave up three second-round picks just for a half-year rental of the 3-and-D wing, who is also close to Luka Doncic.
According to salary cap expert Yossi Gazlan, the Lakers used a portion of their $14.1 million full midlevel exception to sign LaRavia.
The Sacramento Kings were interested in retaining LaRavia, who finished the season strong with them, but they were limited to $5.1 million annual salary. The Lakers outbid them by dipping into their full MLE, offering $5.8 million in annual salary, which is slightly above the taxpayer MLE.
As a result, the Lakers are left with $8.3 million in the MLE and $13.9 million below the first apron to add a center and fill out their roster, which currently has 12 players.
Underrated Defender
GettyChet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket past Jake LaRavia, who agreed to a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
LaRavia, who is nine years younger than Finney-Smith, averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season while splitting his time in Memphis and Sacramento. The 19th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, LaRavia hit 42.3% from the 3-point line last season, showing plenty of promise as a 3-and-D wing.
Sam Vecenie, The Athletic’s draft expert, is high on LaRavia and the Lakers’ quick pivot from losing Finney-Smith to the Rockets.
“([I] Think there’s a good shot LaRavia is an upgrade of DFS for the Lakers. If not an upgrade, at least very close for a fraction of the price),” Vecenie wrote on X.
LaRavia has a 6’9.5 wingspan and is deceivingly athletic and can emerge as the Lakers’ top perimeter defender next to Doncic and Austin Reaves in the backcourt.
“[I] Think people are WAY underrating LaRavia on defense. I get that he is a bigger white dude that people think can’t move, but he’s actually pretty solid. Versatile, plays with a ton of effort, rotates really well, moves his feet reasonably well,” Vecenie wrote on X.
Lakers Lose Out on Free Agent Centers
The Lakers’ center options are dwindling after two of their reported targets signed with other teams.
Brook Lopez chose instead Lakers’ crosstown rivals Los Angeles Clippers while Clint Capela joined Finney-Smith in Houston.
Both veteran centers signed for more than what the Lakers can offer after the LaRavia signing.
Lopez agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal, per Charania. On the other hand, Capela agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Rockets, Charania added.
Kevon Looney left the Golden State Warriors for the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year, $16 million deal, according to Charania. Day’Ron Sharpe agreed to return to the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year, $12 million deal, according to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto.
Only Deandre Ayton, who is finalizing a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, is the Lakers’ only hope at the free agent market once he clears waivers on Wednesday, July 2.
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