After seeing Dorian Finney-Smith leave town to sign with the Houston Rockets, the Lakers brought in 23-year-old forward Jake LaRavia in their first free agency signing.

The team agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with LaRavia in a move that was announced not long after Finney-Smith agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with Houston.

The Lakers acquired Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets in December for three second-round picks and players. He was close to Luka Doncic from their time together in Dallas and Finney-Smith was a big contributor for the Lakers during the season, someone Lakers coach JJ Redick leaned on to play multiple positions and to be a defensive stopper.