LA Lakers signed 'very underrated defensive player' in addition to Marcus Smart, claims Brian Windhorst

The Los Angeles Lakers, aiming to address their defensive shortcomings from last season's playoffs, strengthened their roster by signing center DeAndre Ayton and acquiring former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. While Smart was brought in primarily to support Luka Dončić defensively—following Dončić's own defensive improvements showcased at EuroBasket 2025—the team also added another underrated defensive asset in Jake LaRavia.

According to ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, the Lakers view LaRavia as a crucial defensive piece, despite Smart receiving most of the attention. Windhorst emphasized that the team sought to compensate for the loss of Dorian Finney-Smith by signing both players, with LaRavia offering significant positional versatility. He is capable of guarding point guards through power forwards, making him a flexible and valuable component in the Lakers' defensive schemes.

LaRavia's defensive metrics from the previous season support optimism about his impact. He averaged 0.9 steals and posted a defensive rating of 113.7, which compared favorably to players like Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and even Finney-Smith. These statistics suggest he has the tools to become a quality defensive contributor, especially under the coaching and tactical guidance of JJ Redick.

In addition to his measurable impact, LaRavia brings a determined mentality, describing himself as a player who gives full effort and never gives up on plays. This combination of statistical foundation and mindset provides legitimate reasons for Lakers fans to be optimistic about his role in the team's improved defensive identity.