For the first time in what seems like forever, the Los Angeles Lakers had a first-round draft pick that wasn’t being re-routed to another team in a trade. It gave them an opportunity to address at least one of their needs in a cost-effective manner.
The Lakers need 3-point shooting, defense and potentially a ball-handling guard. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, their two starting guards, are about to become free agents, and there is a chance they lose both this summer.
At the very least, they may have a replacement for one or both. The Lakers took Jalen Hood-Schifino, a guard out of Indiana University, with the No. 17 pick in Thursday’s draft.
Welcome to the Purple & Gold, Jalen Hood-Schifino! pic.twitter.com/DdMu3PKML9
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 23, 2023
A look at Hood-Schifino
The Indiana standout is 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, giving him outstanding size for an NBA guard, and he has a 6-foot-10 wingspan.
He can get things done on both ends of the floor. His greatest strengths are his passing and playmaking, and he seems to be a natural at spotting open teammates off the bounce, as well as manipulating defenses to get his teammates open.
Hood-Schifino isn’t a very athletic or speedy player, but he is a very good and versatile defender.
At this point, he needs to improve his 3-point shooting, but overall, the Lakers have just gotten themselves a very good and intriguing prospect.
A more thorough breakdown of Hood-Schifino, as well as some of his video highlights, can be seen here.
