Grizzlies Decline Jake LaRavia’s $5.16M Team Option For 2025-26

The Memphis Grizzlies declined their $5.16 million team option on forward Jake LaRavia for the 2025-26 season. This is part of the four-year, $14.76 million rookie-scale contract he signed in July 2022.

Memphis Grizzlies intend to re-sign forward Jake LaRavia after declining his $5.16 million team option

LaRavia, the 19th pick of the 2022 NBA draft out of Wake Forest, will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Memphis is striving to maintain roster flexibility since 12 players are already under contract for 2025-26.

However, the Grizzlies are reportedly interested in re-signing LaRavia beyond this season. Overall, Memphis is pleased with LaRavia’s development, according to Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian.

Through 75 career NBA regular-season games (six starts), LaRavia is averaging 6.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 17.9 minutes per contest while shooting 39.3% from the floor, 33.5% from 3-point range, and 78% at the free throw line.

Breaking, per sources:

The Grizzlies are encouraged by Jake LaRavia’s development and remain interested in retaining him beyond this season, but to maintain flexibility for a roster with several young wings and 12 players already under contract for 2025-26, they won’t be…

— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) November 1, 2024

Last season, LaRavia averaged career highs of 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 23 minutes per game while shooting 38.9% from the field, 34% from beyond the arc, and a career-best 82.6% at the foul line.

In Memphis’ 110-98 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 10, 2024, the 6-foot-8 wing recorded a career-high 32 points on 10-of-18 (55.6%) shooting from the floor and a career-best eight 3-pointers.

LaRavia impressed coach Taylor Jenkins last season

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins praised LaRavia following the 2023-24 regular-season finale.

“The reads he was making, I thought he was playing… with a lot of force, a lot of pop,” Jenkins said. “Obviously figuring it out when he became more of a focal point on team’s game plans. He was shooting the three-ball with a lot of aggressiveness…  All growth in a lot of different areas.

“He and I have spoken recently about what the summer holds, knowing health is the biggest thing, but [I’m] super proud of him the last couple of months to have him come out and be consistent night after night and available night after night.”

Now in his third NBA season, this will be another prove-it year for the California native.

LaRavia, who turns 23 on Sunday, is averaging 6.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 23.8 minutes per game this season. He notched a season-high 17 points in Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.