Lakers analyst Jovan Buha dropped some truth bombs about who’s actually gonna snag that crucial fifth starter spot, and it’s looking like a two-man race between Jake LaRavia and that $2.4 million free agent signing, Ziaire Williams. This isn’t just about filling a roster spot, it’s about finding the right piece to mesh with the rest of the starting five after some big departures.
The PF Puzzle: Filling LeBron’s Shoes (Sort Of)
Look, with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura out the door, everyone knew the power forward role was wide open. No surprise there. The rest of the starting five is locked in: Luka Doncic at point guard, Austin Reaves at shooting guard, Quentin Grimes at small forward, and Walker Kessler holding down center. So, who steps up for PF? Buha’s got a super clear picture of what this guy needs. He’s gotta defend multiple positions, even against those bigger wings and forwards. This player needs to complement Luka Doncic and Walker Kessler on the defensive glass, primarily play off-ball, and ideally, he’s at least 6-foot-7. That’s a tall order!
Buha looked at a few other names, too: Sandro Mamukelashvili, Matisse Thybulle, Adou Thiero, and Jarred Vanderbilt. But honestly, none of ’em really fit his specific criteria. Mamukelashvili just isn’t athletic enough for the required role. Thybulle and Vanderbilt? They’re not versatile enough offensively. And Thiero’s too green, he’s still developing his game offensively. So yeah, it really does come down to LaRavia and Williams, just like Buha said.
LaRavia’s Rhythm vs. Williams’ Raw Talent
This is where it gets interesting, because both guys have their ups and downs. JJ Redick really trusted LaRavia last season and complemented his fit alongside the Lakers’ stars. The guy put up 8.2 points and 4.0 rebounds, shooting 45.9% from the field. But here’s the kicker: his three-point shot, at 32.1%, totally regressed as the season wore on, which led fans to lose faith in his ability. Buha thinks LaRavia checks more boxes, assuming he can somehow regain that offensive confidence and shoot at a certain level. He’s got the physical tools, and he already knows how to play with Doncic and Reaves from last season.
Then there’s Ziaire Williams, the $2.4 million signing. This dude undeniably has the higher ceiling. He’s grown as a high-volume three-point shooter and bulked up. After spending two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, he delivered decent numbers last year in a prominent role: 10.2 points per game on 42.5% shooting, including 34.3% from the three-point range. He’s also way more athletic and defensively sound than LaRavia. Williams is gonna be keen to prove himself on a contender again.
What’s Next for the Lakers’ Frontcourt?
It feels like Redick might lean towards LaRavia if he plays well in training camp, purely because of his experience with Doncic and Reaves last season. But listen, if both these guys stumble, the Lakers are gonna be forced to hit the trade market at the deadline, no doubt. Remember, they originally had their sights on Jonathan Kuminga for this very spot, but he totally snubbed Los Angeles for the Minnesota Timberwolves, looking for a more flexible deal that lets him test unrestricted free agency again in 2027. So, the Lakers settled for Williams and Thybulle to shore up the wing spots. It looks like Los Angeles will try to play out the first half with its available options, then they’ll pivot if needed. This whole power forward situation is a massive early-season test, and how LaRavia and Williams perform is gonna be huge for what happens next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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