Lakers’ Jake LaRavia Embraces Versatile Role Under Coach JJ Redick
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LOS ANGELES — During the Los Angeles Lakers’ media day on Sept. 29, 2025, forward Jake LaRavia outlined the flexible responsibilities head coach JJ Redick has assigned him for the upcoming season.
LaRavia, a 2022 first-round pick who joined the Lakers as a free agent this summer, said his early meetings with Redick have centered on playing freely rather than focusing on a strict set of duties.
“He told me to be myself out there,” LaRavia said at the UCLA Health Training Center. “He’s not specifying one, two or three things. He just wants me to play basketball, bring shooting and defense, and make winning plays.”
The 6-foot-8 wing owns a career 37.1 percent mark from three-point range and has spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. Addressing perimeter defense was a front-office priority for the Lakers, and LaRavia believes his two-way skill set fits that objective.
“I think I can complement Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic and LeBron James really well,” he said. “Offensively I can provide spacing, and defensively I can take pressure off them by guarding the other team’s best wing.”
LaRavia added that his high-energy style—diving for loose balls and making “connector” passes—aligns with the franchise’s emphasis on winning plays. With the regular season opening on Oct. 21, the 23-year-old views the Lakers’ stage as an ideal opportunity to secure a rotation spot.
Redick, entering his first season as head coach, has emphasized maximizing LaRavia’s shooting potential. Consistent production from beyond the arc could solidify LaRavia’s place in a lineup anchored by seasoned stars.
Source: Lakers Nation
