The Los Angeles Lakers learned horrible news on Thursday, when it was announced that LeBron James would miss at least three to four weeks because of sciatica on his right side.
Thankfully, they now have a backup who could fill some of the void left by James.
Jake Weinbach believes that newcomer Jake LaRavia will earn more responsibilities now that James is out, and he could make the most of them.
“The Lakers are going to lean on Jake LaRavia a lot more than initially expected. LaRavia could potentially start at small forward in LeBron’s absence and should be a strong candidate to have a breakout year at just 23 years old, especially with an increased role right away,” Weinbach posted on X.
The Lakers are going to lean on Jake LaRavia a lot more than initially expected.
LaRavia could potentially start at small forward in LeBron’s absence and should be a strong candidate to have a breakout year at just 23 years old, especially with an increased role right away. https://t.co/ha9ZIYfR4H
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) October 9, 2025
LaRavia was the first pickup of the offseason for the Lakers, and most fans expected to see him coming off the bench.
Last season, he produced 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on 46.5 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from the three-point line between his time with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings.
LaRavia should prepare for a lot more time on the court in the new season, especially if James’ recovery moves slowly.
His shooting will come in handy, even if he doesn’t put up as many points as James.
These first few weeks will be a test for the Lakers, a chance to see what they can do without James and with Luka Doncic running the show.
In many ways, it could be a glimpse into the future.
If the team is able to remain competitive and score important wins, LaRavia could earn a spot in the starting lineup.
The post Key Lakers Player Could Be Poised For Breakout Year appeared first on The Cold Wire.
