The Los Angeles Lakers made a bold move drafting Jalen Hood-Schifino with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 6’6 wing showcased plenty of potential in his lone college season but struggled to make shots and defend. It had fans questioning the pick, and things quickly did not work out.
The Lakers declined Hood-Schifino’s third-year option on Oct. 31, which will make him an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason. He has yet to appear in a game this season and played just 109 minutes as a rookie. They desperately need bench help and are still not using him. Rob Pelinka and LA’s brass admitted their mistake and chose the roster flexibility over paying Hood-Schifino $4 million in the 2025-26 season.
Completely whiffing on the 17th overall pick is a bad look, but things get even worse when examining the next two players off the board. Both are wings already making an impact on contending teams.
Lakers took Jalen Hood-Schifino over Jaime Jaquez and Brandin Podziemski
Hood-Schifino was rumored to be Pelinka’s selection. He showcased an intriguing skill set in college, but never blossomed in Los Angeles. The Lakers were relying too much on his mid-range game translating into 3-point shooting, which never panned out.
With the 18th election, the Heat took Jaime Jaquez Jr. out of UCLA. He averages 28.0 minutes per game for his career and is the versatile wing the Lakers hoped Hood-Schifino would blossom into. The 23-year-old is not off to the fastest start this season, but he looks like a key rotation piece in South Beach for the next decade-plus.
One pick later, the Warriors selected Brandin Podziemski. The 6’5 wing was deemed untouchable by the Dubs in star trade talks this offseason. He was a plus-shooter, rebounder, and playmaker as a rookie with plenty more potential. The 21-year-old could blossom into a starter but is currently a steady and impactful role player. Just what the Lakers want and need around LeBron James and Antony Davis.
The franchise will regret drafting Jalen Hood-Schifino for years to come. Any time Podziemski lights up the Lakers or they are one rotation wing short, fans will think back to this failed choice. LA had two key role players starring right at them, including one who went to college in their backyard, but Pelinka and company went in a different direction.
The Los Angeles Lakers will likely try to dump Jalen Hood-Schifino’s now-expiring contract before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Their front office was wise to move on quickly after deciding it wouldn’t work, but the damage has already been done, and it won’t stop anytime soon.