Forward Jake LaRavia has earned the “love” and “trust” of the Lakers coaching staff.
Not because of his high-level shotmaking. Or steady scoring.
But because for several months now, he’s executed his role for the Lakers regardless of whether his shot falls during that particular game.
It’s why he started in the Lakers’ previous five games in place of the injured Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) entering Thursday’s matchup against the Thunder. Smart sat out of the marquee game at Paycom Center for his sixth consecutive absence over the last 1 ½ weeks.
Even though LaRavia and Smart have different roles for the Lakers, LaRavia has been a reliable replacement in the starting lineup because he does what’s asked of him, from being physical on the defensive end of the floor to creating extra possessions.
“His execution of what we’re trying to do and what his role is going back to December has been at such a high level,” coach JJ Redick said. “The coaching staff loves him and we trust him.”
LaRavia’s role starts with being disruptive defensively.
Redick, who’s mentioned multiple times that LaRavia was the team’s first call when free agency started last summer, noted that one of the more important things the Lakers were hoping LaRavia would provide when he signed the two-year deal with the team was his defensive disruption.
Especially after the Lakers were a bottom-12 team in deflections and creating turnovers last season.
LaRavia’s been a significant part of the Lakers’ improvement to average in both areas this season.
He’s second on the Lakers in deflections (3.0) and third in steals (1.2), but first among rotation players in deflections per 36 minutes (4.4) and tied with Smart for the best steal percentage (2.1%) on the team.
And he’s remained just as disruptive on that end of the floor post All-Star break, helping the Lakers have the league’s No. 12 defensive rating (112.8) over their last 22 games.
Often tasked with having to guard one of the opponent’s better offensive players, LaRavia has improved throughout the season with containing ball-handlers on the perimeters and not allowing drives into the teeth of the defense
“I just play hard, try and keep the ball in front of me,” LaRavia said. “Knowing the other players’ tendencies helps, being physical, using my hands, trying to get steals and deflections. But really just trying to be physical is the biggest thing.”
LaRavia, who’s 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, has also maintained being an elite offensive rebounder for his position.
His 6.4% offensive rebounding rate was in the 87th percentile among wings entering Thursday, according to Cleaning The Glass.
He’s ranked in the 86th percentile or better for his position the last three seasons.
“He’s been playing great for us,” star guard Luka Doncic said. “That’s what I say: sometimes, you’re not going to make shots, but you can [impact] the game [in] other [ways]. He’s been doing that every game, so we really appreciate what he’s doing for us.”
LaRavia has had a subpar shooting season, making a career-low 32.3% of his 3-pointers after shooting 42.3% last season, 34% in 2023-24 and 33.8% as a rookie, putting him at 37.1% on 3s before joining the Lakers.
His 31.5% shooting on wide-open 3s ranked last among the 150 players who attempted at least 150 entering Thursday.
So on nights like Tuesday’s win over the Cavaliers, when LaRavia makes all five of his field goal attempts, including a pair of 3-pointers, the shotmaking feels like a bonus.
Because he also contributed an offensive rebound, a steal and several other plays that don’t show up in the box score.
And that’s exactly what the Lakers not only want from him, but need from him.
