Jake LaRavia, #12, is facing a make-or-break season with the Lakers, with new talent crowding the roster and his role in serious jeopardy. That incredible viral moment last season where a Minnesota Timberwolves fan famously asked “Who is No. 12?” with Anthony Edwards hilariously responding, “That’s what I’m saying! I don’t know,” now casts a long shadow over whether LaRavia can deliver consistently for the purple and gold.
From Highlight Reel to Slump City
Remember that night against the Timberwolves on October 29, 2025? LaRavia absolutely torched them for 27 points, shooting an insane 5-6 from behind the arc as the Lakers snatched a tight 116-115 victory. Excitement filled the air! Fans were buzzing, thinking the Lakers had found a genuine surprise gem. He followed that up with a few more impressive games, riding that wave of hype. But then, BAM! A brutal slump hit him hard, lasting all the way through March. It was like watching a rocket launch and then just fizzle.
Even though the Lakers played their best basketball in March last season, LaRavia couldn’t provide much offensive impact during that crucial stretch. He shot a dismal 6-25 from behind the arc for the entire month, only scored in double figures once, and barely hit 43% from the field. His minutes continued to dwindle, especially in the postseason, where he averaged just 15 minutes per game against the Rockets and played in a mere two of the four games against the Thunder. It was a tough watch, man. We saw flashes of his good effort, hustle, and defense that impacted the team, but the offense just vanished.
New Faces, Higher Stakes
Now, the pressure is on like never before. The Lakers added quite a few new players this offseason, including Sandro Mamukelashvili, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Quentin Grimes. This isn’t last season’s thin roster where Head Coach JJ Redick had to stick with LaRavia even when he was playing badly. With all this new talent, LaRavia might find himself completely outshined by his teammates if he doesn’t tap back into that “Who is No. 12?” identity and find some consistency.
His best-case scenario is simple: find consistency and add an “offensive bag” to his proven hustle and effort. He ended last season shooting just 32% from behind the arc. Think about that: with all the attention Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James draw, LaRavia found himself open quite a bit. He struggled to knock down those wide-open threes, the exact shots the team desperately needed him to hit. Turning into a player who can impact the game on all cylinders would add an extra weapon to a Lakers team that likely won’t struggle offensively but absolutely needs players who can do a bit of everything. Can he make those open shots count this season? We’ll be watching every single possession.
The stakes are clear for Jake LaRavia this season. He needs to deliver or risk fading into the background. Can he rise to the challenge and cement his place in the rotation, or will the “Who is No. 12?” question become a permanent, frustrating reality? We’ll start getting answers as the new season unfolds, and I can’t wait to see what happens.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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