Memphis Grizzlies executive vice president of basketball operations, Zach Kleiman, addressed the media during his end-of-season press conference, reflecting on the team’s decisions over the past year.
One notable topic Kleiman discussed was a misstep he openly admitted to – declining the fourth-year rookie scale team option for forward Jake LaRavia, a decision that eventually led to LaRavia being traded.
“I think we should’ve picked up Jake LaRavia’s team option,” Kleiman said candidly. “The mistake was there. I think Jake could’ve helped us down the stretch.”
Kleiman explained that the Grizzlies’ internal projections factored heavily into the decision, as the front office believed younger players like Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson would be prepared to step up and take on larger roles within the rotation during the playoff push.
“I probably overweighted just how much of a burden they would have been able to put on in a playoff push,” Kleiman admitted, acknowledging that the team may have asked too much of its younger players too soon.
As a result of declining the option, LaRavia is now set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after finishing the season with the Sacramento Kings.
Notably, because Memphis declined his rookie scale option, the restriction that caps LaRavia’s potential first-year salary at $5.2 million remains in effect with Sacramento, limiting his free agency earnings unless a creative agreement is reached.
Zach Kleiman Says Grizzlies Should Have Picked Up Jake LaRavia's Option https://t.co/PM3z3rhpMd
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 28, 2025
