Jake LaRavia Makes Grizzlies Pay in Just Two Games

It took Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia just two games. That’s all it needed for him to make the Memphis Grizzlies regret their decision. The team waived him right before Christmas. Now, LaRavia is flourishing with the Kings. And he’s doing it in a big way, especially against his old team.

The Grizzlies’ “Foolish Call”

The story starts on December 23, 2024. The Memphis Grizzlies decided to waive Jake LaRavia. This was a pretty surprising move. He was a second-round pick for them in the 2022 NBA Draft. The reason given was to sign forward Jaylen Wells to a multi-year deal. It was about roster flexibility, apparently. Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman said it was a “tough decision.”

He made those comments to the Commercial Appeal. But really, it seemed like a short-sighted move to many observers. Just a day later, on December 24, 2024, the Sacramento Kings swooped in. They claimed LaRavia off waivers. This was confirmed by NBA.com transaction logs. It felt like an instant upgrade for Sacramento.

Immediate Impact: Revenge Served Cold

Then came the matchups everyone was waiting for. The Kings played the Grizzlies twice in a row. These were LaRavia’s first games against his former team. And he absolutely lit them up. He made Memphis look pretty bad, really. On December 26, 2024, the Kings beat the Grizzlies 132-120. LaRavia had a great game. He put up 21 points, pulled down 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists. He also shot 3-for-6 from three-point range in 30 minutes. That’s a solid performance. But he wasn’t done yet. The very next day, December 27, 2024, he went even harder.

The Kings won again, 138-99. LaRavia exploded for a career-high 28 points. He grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out 5 assists. He was incredible from deep, hitting 6 of 9 three-pointers. He even set a new career-high with 8 total three-pointers in that game. ESPN noted his eruption. Ric Bucher from Fox Sports perfectly captured the sentiment. He wrote, “It took 2 games versus Grizzlies for Jake LaRavia to make Memphis regret foolish call.” And boy, did it ever seem true.

Here’s a quick look at his numbers in those two games:

Kings’ Gain is Grizzlies’ Loss

LaRavia’s performances weren’t just a flash in the pan. The Kings quickly recognized his value. On December 29, 2024, just a few days after claiming him, Sacramento signed him to a multi-year contract. That’s how confident they were. The Athletic reported on the quick turnaround. It really shows how much he impressed them. With the Grizzlies, LaRavia averaged 6.9 points in 104 games. That was over two seasons. But with the Kings, he’s found a new gear.

As of January 2, 2026, he’s played 15 games for Sacramento. His numbers are pretty good too. He’s averaging 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He’s shooting 45% from the field and an impressive 42% from three-point range. He’s really become a key contributor for them. It’s a stark contrast to his time in Memphis.

The Grizzlies haven’t publicly expressed regret. Kleiman’s comments focused on roster flexibility. But you have to wonder what they’re thinking now. They let a player go. And he immediately became a significant piece for another team. Not just any team, but a team that then crushed them twice. It’s a tough look. The two teams won’t play again until March 15, 2026. That’s a long wait. But when they do, you can bet LaRavia will be ready. And the Grizzlies might just feel that sting all over again.