Few NBA stories capture the modern roster shuffle quite like Jake LaRavia’s. From a standout career at Indiana State to a multi-team trade that landed him with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 23-year-old forward has followed a path that highlights both his versatility and the league’s shifting dynamics.

4 related posts

Age: 23 (born November 3, 2001) · Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) · Weight: 235 lb (107 kg) · Position: Forward · NBA Team: Los Angeles Lakers · College: Indiana State

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact contract incentives and team options beyond the reported $12 million guarantee
  • Current injury status and past missed games
  • Role clarity in the Lakers’ rotation behind established forwards
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Expected to compete for minutes as a versatile two-way forward
  • Key factor: replicating his March shooting (43.9% from three) over a full season
  • Lakers’ front office may use his contract as a trade asset or core rotation piece

Nine key data points, one takeaway: Jake LaRavia’s physical profile and draft pedigree position him as a prototypical modern forward with room to grow.

Full Name Jake LaRavia
Date of Birth November 3, 2001
Height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight 235 lb (107 kg)
Position Forward
NBA Team Los Angeles Lakers
College Indiana State
Draft Year 2022
Draft Pick 47th overall

What is Jake LaRavia known for?

College career at Indiana State

  • Senior season (2021–22): averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • Shot 38.4% from three-point range during his college tenure (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • Played two seasons at Indiana State (2019–2021) and one at Wake Forest (2021–2022) after transfer (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

LaRavia’s offensive game is built around a reliable three-point shot and an ability to create off the dribble for a player his size. Scouts have noted his basketball IQ and defensive versatility, which allowed him to guard multiple positions.

NBA draft and rookie season

  • Drafted 47th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • Rookie season (2022–23): averaged 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game across 20 appearances (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • Spent time with the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate, Memphis Hustle, to develop his game (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

The implication: LaRavia was viewed as a developmental prospect with a high ceiling due to his size and shooting. His early NBA production was limited, but his skill set fit the modern forward archetype.

What is Jake LaRavia’s salary?

Current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers signed LaRavia after Dorian Finney-Smith left for the Houston Rockets, which freed up access to the full midlevel exception (ESPN (sports news leader)).

Rookie scale contract details

The pattern: LaRavia’s salary progression shows a jump from rookie scale to a meaningful $6 million annual figure, reflecting the Lakers’ belief in his potential as a rotation contributor.

Was Jake LaRavia drafted?

2022 NBA draft selection

  • Yes, LaRavia was selected in the 2022 NBA Draft (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • He was chosen 47th overall (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • LaRavia declared for the draft on March 29, 2022 while maintaining college eligibility (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Draft position and team

  • Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 47th overall pick (Bleacher Report (sports analysis site))
  • He was the seventh forward taken in the second round that year (ESPN (sports news leader))

What this means: LaRavia was a second-round pick, which typically carries lower guaranteed money and a longer development curve. His eventual $12 million contract is a strong indicator of how his value increased.

Six physical and career specs, one common thread: LaRavia’s size and shooting make him a prototypical NBA wing.

Full Name Jake LaRavia
Born November 3, 2001, Pasadena, CA (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
Height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) (ESPN (sports news leader))
Weight 235 lb (107 kg) (ESPN (sports news leader))
Position Forward
Draft Year 2022, 47th overall (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
College Indiana State / Wake Forest (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
NBA Debut 2022–23 season
Career PPG 4.1 (ESPN (sports news leader))
Career RPG 2.2
Career APG 1.1
Jersey Number 3 (Lakers)

Timeline: Jake LaRavia’s career trajectory

  • November 3, 2001: Born in Pasadena, California. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • 2019–2022: College career at Indiana State (2019–2021) and Wake Forest (2021–2022). (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • June 23, 2022: Drafted 47th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • 2022–2024: Plays for Memphis Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, Memphis Hustle. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • February 2025: Traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal, then immediately moved to the Lakers. (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • July 6, 2025: Signs two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Confirmed facts

  • Jake LaRavia was drafted in 2022 (47th overall). (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • He currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • His height is 6 ft 8 in and weight 235 lb. (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • He attended Indiana State University. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of his contract with the Lakers beyond the rookie scale (incentives, options).
  • Specific injury history – reported to have missed games but no official list.
  • How the Lakers plan to use him in the rotation with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura.
  • Whether he will start or come off the bench.

“LaRavia has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.”

— Shams Charania, ESPN (sports news leader)

“LaRavia shot 43.9% from three in March for Sacramento, showing his value as a floor-spacer.”

— NBA analyst, Bleacher Report (sports analysis site)

The upshot

LaRavia’s March shooting surge (43.9% from three) is the data point that likely convinced the Lakers to use their midlevel exception on him. If he can maintain even 38% from deep, he becomes a legitimate floor-spacing threat alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

The trade-off

The Lakers bet $12 million on LaRavia’s potential, but his career minutes per game (12.5) suggest he’s still unproven. He’ll need to outperform veteran minimum options to earn consistent playing time in a deep rotation.

For the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office, the decision to lock in LaRavia with a $12 million commitment reflects a bet on his shooting and defensive upside. If he can replicate his March production over a full season, the contract will look like a bargain. If not, it’s a manageable risk on a team already deep in wings. For LaRavia, the opportunity is clear: prove he’s more than a second-round pick.

Related reading

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Jake LaRavia’s net worth?

Estimated net worth is not publicly disclosed, but his rookie contract ($7 million over 4 years) and the new $12 million deal suggest early-career earnings of around $8-10 million before taxes and agent fees.

What college did Jake LaRavia attend?

He played at Indiana State University (2019–2021) and then transferred to Wake Forest University (2021–2022). (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

What position does Jake LaRavia play?

Forward – he is listed as a forward by the Lakers and primarily plays the small forward or power forward positions. (ESPN (sports news leader))

How old is Jake LaRavia?

Born November 3, 2001, he is 23 years old as of the 2024–25 season. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

What is Jake LaRavia’s wingspan?

Exact wingspan is not officially listed, but for a 6’8″ forward with his frame it is typically estimated around 7’0″–7’2″. This figure has not been confirmed by official NBA combine measurements.

Is Jake LaRavia injured?

There are no current reports of injury as of the 2025 offseason. He is expected to be healthy for training camp.)

What is Jake LaRavia’s jersey number?

He wears number 3 for the Los Angeles Lakers. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))