Jake LaRavia: “I could definitely see myself back here in Sac”

The Sacramento Kings have needed two-way wing/forward depth for years now, making their Jake LaRavia acquisition at the deadline of the 2024-25 season an impactful addition.

Due to the Memphis Grizzlies declining the fourth-year team option on his rookie deal put them in a limited position, only able to offer a starting salary of roughly $5-million in any negotiations. But, it also set him up to reach unrestricted free agency with those limitations, compared to the restricted market that would have taken place had they picked up the option.

That reality factored into Memphis’s decision to trade LaRavia at the deadline, when he ultimately became a member of the Kings.

When they acquired LaRavia, Sacramento also inherited those limitations.

In 19 games played with the Kings before suffering an incomplete scaphoid fracture in his left thumb that ended early, Jake LaRavia averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds on 43.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three on 2.7 attempts per game.

“I thought it was a very beneficial thing that happened,” LaRavia said during Wednesday’s exit interviews.

“I definitely had my struggles early on, but, for the most part, I thought I was able to contribute off rip and just fight right in with this team and very happy that this was the team I got traded to. I thought I had a really good time here… getting hurt in that OKC game and then just not being able to come back wasn’t what I had planned, but, for the most part, looking back I think was a positive thing.”

With unrestricted free agency around the corner, LaRavia and his agency hold a lot of the cards. But, the 6’8 forward made it clear that he enjoyed his short stint with the Kings and wouldn’t mind returning to California’s capital.

He especially seemed to be a fan of interim head coach Doug Christie.

“I could definitely see myself back here in Sac,” he said. “I really enjoyed Doug as the head coach, so him getting that job would… I would enjoy that and I could definitely see myself back here. I really enjoyed the fanbase. I’ve only played for one other team, but Sacramento really welcomed me with open arms when I first got here and, like I said earlier, I thought this was a very beneficial move for me and I thought it played out pretty well.”

With plenty of roster construction questions on the horizon for reported new general manager Scott Perry, LaRavia’s future is uncertain but he undeniably could be of benefit to the upcoming Sacramento roster as they continue to lack reliable two-way wing/forwar depth.

What’s next for the Sacramento Kings?

The Sacramento Kings will head into an uncertain offseason that could once again bring widespread change in the coming weeks and months.

Sacramento will need to determine whether interim head coach Doug Christie will retain the position moving forward, while also looking to hire a new general manager after parting ways with 2022-23 Executive of the Year winner Monte McNair.

Once the Sacramento Kings lock in their head coach and front office leader, they will need to improve a roster that is unlikely to hold a first-round draft pick in June (owed to Atlanta as part of the 2023 Kevin Huerter trade).

Several members of the current roster, including All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis and future Hall of Fame forward DeMar DeRozan, are expected to meet with the organization to gauge their future.

Can this current core be salvaged? Is it time to rebuild? What’s the best path forward for the Beam Team?

Buckle up for a busy offseason in Sacramento.

Upcoming schedule for the Sacramento Kings

• Sunday, April 20th – Start of the NBA Playoffs
• Monday, May 12th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Wednesday, June 25th – 2025 NBA Draft
• Monday, June 30th – NBA free agent negotiations can begin
• Sunday, July 6th – NBA free agents can officially sign with teams
• July 10th-20th – Las Vegas NBA Summer League
• August TBD – Release of 2025-26 regular season schedule
• September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season

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