Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we\u2019ll be writing columns every weekday, breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we take a look at Jake LaRavia.<\/p>\n
When the viral moment last season where a Minnesota Timberwolves fan asked \u201cWho is No. 12?\u201d with Anthony Edwards hilariously responding, \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m saying! I don\u2019t know,\u201d Jake LaRavia was catapulted into a bright purple and gold spotlight. Excitement filled the air as it seemed the Lakers had found a surprise gem as he torched the Timberwolves for 27 points while shooting 5-6 from behind the arc that night.<\/p>\n
He followed that up with a few more impressive games before hitting a brutal slump that lasted through March. His minutes continued to dwindle into the postseason, where he averaged 15 minutes per game against the Rockets and played in just two of the four games against the Thunder.<\/p>\n
Now, with the addition of quite a few new players including Sandro Mamukelashvili, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Quentin Grimes, LaRavia might find himself being outshined by his teammates if he doesn\u2019t tap into his \u201cWho is No. 12?\u201d identity again.<\/p>\n
What is his best-case scenario?<\/p>\n
The easiest answer is that he finds consistency. While the Lakers played their best basketball in March last season, LaRavia didn\u2019t provide much offensive impact during that stretch. He went 6-25 from behind the arc for the month, only scored in double figures once, and only shot 43% from the field. He did have games, though, where his good effort, hustle and defense impacted the team.<\/p>\n
If he could add an offensive bag to his hustle and effort, that would be his best-case scenario. He ended last season shooting 32% from behind the arc. LaRavia found himself open quite a bit, with attention often shifting to Luka Don\u010di\u0107, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, and he struggled to knock down those wide-open threes the team desperately needed.<\/p>\n
LaRavia turning into a player who can impact the game on all cylinders adds an extra weapon to a new Lakers team that likely won\u2019t struggle offensively but will need players to do a bit of everything.<\/p>\n
What is his worst-case scenario?<\/p>\n
Head coach JJ Redick went to LaRavia often last season, even in games he played badly, but that was mostly because the team wasn\u2019t particularly deep. This upcoming season, with a team that has much more talent that can contribute in a multitude of ways, LaRavia\u2019s minutes will likely start disappearing if he\u2019s struggling.<\/p>\n
Lakers fans may find themselves asking who number 12 is again, and this time it won\u2019t be a fun viral moment. Was all that hype in the first half of last season just some random momentum he picked up? When his slump kept going and he showed no signs of improving, his worst-case scenario, you could say, started as soon as the lights shone too bright.<\/p>\n
What is his most likely role on the team?<\/p>\n
With Luka and Austin as the obvious two starters out of the five, LaRavia\u2019s most likely role will be a battle with the newbies as well as Adou Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr, who shined in the Summer League. The best way he can earn minutes is by becoming a player who can contribute immediately when called upon, instead of someone who comes in, steals the ball a few times, but can\u2019t consistently knock down triples. The Lakers likely have better versions of that type of player, particularly in Thybulle.<\/p>\n
For many seasons, the Lakers have been in dire need of wing players. We saw LaRavia\u2019s capabilities early on with a few stellar games and then a nice hustle performance here and there, so if he finds consistency, he\u2019ll find the important minutes again.<\/p>\n
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians<\/a>.<\/p>\n