"LeBron James is requesting a trade" - Lakers fans perplexed as LA front office lands Jake LaRavia for $12 million despite glaring need at center

The LA Lakers have signed forward Jake LaRavia to a two-year $12 million contract. Fans reacted to the news, as the Lakers have a glaring need for a big man.

On Monday, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that league sources said that LaRavia and his agents, AMR Agency's Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry, have negotiated a fully guaranteed deal with LA.

Some fans speculated that four-time NBA champion LeBron James would request a trade after the move for LaRavia. On Saturday, Charania reported that James had exercised his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26.

Meanwhile, others are expecting the Lakers to sign a big man. One fan mentioned top free agents, Deandre Ayton and Dorian Finney-Smith. Ayton has initiated a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers and is free to sign with any team.

Finney-Smith, whom LA traded for in December, signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets.

Last season, LaRavia averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 47.5% shooting (42.3% from 3-point range) in 66 games split with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, LA signed LaRavia via a portion of its non-taxpayer mid-level exception. They still have $8.25 left in their NTMLE and the $5.1 million bi-annual exception.

Deandre Ayton is linked to the Lakers

Following the reports of Deandre Ayton becoming a free agent on Sunday, the LA Lakers were floated as a possible destination for the 7-foot center.

NBA insider Shams Charania wrote that Ayton approached the Portland Trail Blazers about a contract buyout. He has $35.6 million left on his expiring four-year, $133 million contract. Charania added that Ayton indicated his desire "to play in a winning situation."

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne, teams in need of a center are expected "to be very active" with Ayton.

Ayton put up 14.4 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 40 games with Portland last season. The Phoenix Suns selected Ayton with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He was a key member of the Suns team that reached the NBA Finals in 2021.

While there are injury concerns and questions about his consistency, Ayton could be the perfect complement and a lob threat for Luka Doncic. Ayton and Doncic were part of the same draft class and have developed a friendship through the years. Both players are also represented by the same agent, Bill Duffy.

About the author

Kim is an editor for US Sports and an NBA and WNBA analyst at Sportskeeda with a decade of multi-industry experience. He has a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in finance.

Writing has been Kim's passion, and during college, he was editor-in-chief. He has also accumulated a diverse entrepreneurial background. He possesses a knack for research and was recently a professor.

Kim has been a Boston Celtics fan since 2007, through its many ups and downs. He was delighted when the Cs raised its 18th banner in 2024.

Beyond basketball, he also enjoys following the NFL, MLB and F1. When not immersed in the world of sports and when he is not editing or writing, Kim is likely searching for the perfect cup of joe.

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