The Los Angeles Lakers have made several additions to the roster this offseason, and it's making more sense why the first player to jump on board with the Purple and Gold was so eager to do so.
Free agent forward Jake LaRavia agreed to leave the Sacramento Kings and sign a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers shortly after the opening of free agency. While the signing did not steal headlines, it should be a quality addition for Los Angeles as the 23-year-old comes to the Lakers with three years of NBA experience already under his belt.
After growing up with a father who was a fan of Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers, LaRavia couldn't help but share the reaction his dad had to the news that his son would be suiting up for the same franchise he followed growing up.
Newest Laker Jake LaRavia's Father Nearly Cried After News of FA Deal
During his introductory press conference, LaRavia spoke at length about what attracted him to the opportunity to join the Lakers as a free agent. One of the most interesting pieces of information that he provided fans came while he was discussing his father's reaction to his decision.
As you can see from the clip below, courtesy of Spectrum SportsNet, the Purple and Gold have added a lifelong Lakers fan to the roster, and it nearly brought his father to tears.
“My dad was on the verge of tears… Don’t tell him I said that.” - Jake LaRavia talks about the emotional reaction from his dad - a lifelong Magic Johnson fan - after finding out he was becoming a Laker 💜💛
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) July 9, 2025
📺 Full press conference: https://t.co/kDkXttJbSt pic.twitter.com/jM5uRrjqAk
“My dad’s super excited,” LaRavia said. “He grew up out here. Pasadena is where me and all my brothers were born. My dad’s super excited. He was a big fan of Magic growing up. When he got the news, he was on the verge of tears...Don't tell him I said that, though.”
LaRavia is more than just a feel good story for Lakers fans, however. The No. 19 overall pick from the 2022 NBA Draft should become a contributor for the Purple and Gold from his first day on the hardwood.
In 136 appearances, LaRavia has been a consistent contributor off the bench wherever he has played. For his career, he owns averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 18.9 minutes per game. At 23 years of age, the best is yet to come for LaRavia, and the Lakers are getting two years of that growth as a player at a discounted rate.
With what looks to be a transition year from one superstar leading the charge in LeBron James to another in Luka Doncic on the horizon, LaRavia is the type of talent that can help fill whatever holes are present once that time does come.
Having the potential to make that sort of impact on the Lakers is something LaRavia's father has to be proud of as well.