LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have quietly secured forward Jake LaRavia on a two-year free-agency contract and expect the 23-year-old to become a long-term piece of the roster, head coach JJ Redick said during offseason workouts.
“To get a young player in free agency for a team trying to win a championship is an incredible opportunity,” Redick noted. “Jake’s commitment to everything we’ve asked this offseason has been very high.”
Center Christian Koloko added that the current group appears “more hungry” after last season’s shortcomings. “We want to win the championship. Everybody knows what it takes to get to that next level,” he told ESPN.
Pelicans
While Jordan Poole headlined New Orleans’ summer trade with Washington, forward Saddiq Bey is also drawing attention as he returns from the ACL injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 campaign. Head coach Willie Green described Bey as a “Swiss Army knife” who can score, post up, defend and rebound, calling such versatility “extremely valuable to a team’s success.”
Timberwolves
Minnesota enters the season emphasizing internal growth from guards Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., along with center Joan Beringer. The Timberwolves sent an unprotected future first-round pick to San Antonio for Dillingham and need the second-year guard to claim a rotation role with veteran Mike Conley Jr. in the final season of his deal. Dillingham appeared in 49 games as a rookie, averaging 10.5 minutes.
Shannon showed late-season promise, posting 8.0 points on 51 percent shooting over 12 regular-season games, then averaging 22.7 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in summer league. Beringer impressed in his debut with 10 blocked shots and could back up Rudy Gobert.
Key dates for Minnesota include Oct. 20, the deadline to extend Donte DiVincenzo, and Oct. 31, when third-year options on Shannon and Dillingham must be exercised. After consecutive trips to the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves remain focused on clearing the final hurdle to the NBA Finals.
Source: Hoops Wire
