The Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia is an unrestricted free agent this summer. But it appears there are some restrictions on his moves after all. Before LaRavia got traded to the Sacramento Kings in February 2025 as part of a three-team deal, he was a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. The team is responsible for the predicament he finds himself in.
When the Grizzlies declined to exercise LaRavia’s fourth-year team option of $5.1 million, it opened the door for the Wake Forest alum to explore free agency in the summer of 2025. But because the Kings picked up his rookie-scale contract, they will be unable to match offers for him, making for a complex path if they wish to retain the 23-year-old.
LaRavia Looks to Compete for the Ultimate Prize
As LaRavia discussed his free agency options on the NBA Front Office podcast, he revealed his top priorities in deciding on his future. “I think my biggest, like the number one thing is like a team that’s competing,” he said. “Like a team that is competing and building towards a championship, which obviously every team is, but some teams are obviously ahead of others.”
Last season presented itself as a breakout year of sorts for LaRavia, who featured in 66 games in the 2024-25 season. While this career-high in games didn’t bring massive upgrades in numbers for the forward, it was just enough to prove he has a spot in this league.
LaRavia’s field goal percentage (47.5%) and three-point percentage (42.3%) were his best, indicating his value as a stretch big who can efficiently knock it down. However, Doug Christie’s fast-paced offense might have played a role in that. That’s why it’s Jake’s second priority.
“I think I fit well in any like fast-paced type offense,” he said. “I like, you know, getting the rebound and just pushing it, you know, not having to get the rebound, find the point guard, pass to the point guard, get into a set, whatever it is. And, you know, there’s times for that, but I definitely think I’m a better fit for like a fast-paced type offense.”
While LaRavia did admit the Kings check those boxes and his positive relationship with Doug Christie puts the icing on the cake, the Kings’ offer will be severely restricted.
As the Grizzlies had declined the team option on the contract that was later traded to the Kings, Sacramento cannot present LaRavia with an offer north of the $5.1 million. And even though hoops remains the top priority, the young forward would also look to secure his future, especially considering the building interest around him.
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Another team that could benefit from LaRavia’s services while meeting his list of priorities could be the Eastern Conference Champions, the Indiana Pacers. Currently preparing for Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Pacers weren’t expected to reach this far in the postseason by any means.
However, this Playoff push will now ignite the desire to go all the way, whether or not they win the title on Sunday. And judging by their super-fast offense and a tendency to shoot threes at a high volume, the team could be a suitable option for the forward entering his 4th season.
So as LaRavia continues to weigh his options, he could stick to the Kings simply because of the trust Christie placed in him during his time with the team. But in the case that another team does land him, there is a lot of potential to be explored, especially in the role of a stretch big.
