The Los Angeles Lakers have made a commitment to seeing a youth movement through that could transform the identity of the organization. As stricter salary cap rules and a growing list of teams with depth and star power hinder the star-chasing agenda, it’s a welcome change of pace.
If the Lakers are truly committed to embracing the value of up-and-coming players, then head coach JJ Redick must not repeat the same mistake that his predecessor made with Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Los Angeles selected Hood-Schifino at No. 17 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. He was coming off of a season in which he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, due in no small part to the versatility he displayed as a scorer and facilitator.
Unfortunately, Hood-Schifino appeared in just 21 games for the Lakers in 2024-25, averaging a mere 5.2 minutes per contest.
Hood-Schifino closed out November of 2023 with three straight games in which he played at least 10 minutes. It was the last time he would do so all season, however, as his transition to the NBA was effectively placed on hold as soon as it began.
Based on what he did in the G League and how much untapped potential has yet to be explored, however, Los Angeles can’t turn its back on Hood-Schifino’s development for a second consecutive season.
Jalen Hood-Schifino could fill a crucial potential Lakers void
Hood-Schifino may have struggled to find a place in Darvin Ham’s rotation, but he was nothing short of superb during his stint in the G League. In 15 games played with the South Bay Lakers, he averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 three-point field goals made per game.
In addition to stuffing the stat sheet, Hood-Schifino shot the lights out, accumulating a slash line of .473/.432/.800 on 14.9 field goals, 5.4 three-point field goals, and 4.3 free throws attempted per game.
Thriving in the G League doesn’t guarantee success in the NBA, but Hood-Schifino is already better than a vast majority of players at the NBA’s secondary level. He didn’t just play well with South Bay, but legitimately dominated games as a scorer and passer.
That should, at the very least, have the Lakers intrigued by what he could do in a more expansive role on the main roster in 2024-25.
Hood-Schifino’s playmaking and three-point shooting could be invaluable assets for the Lakers as soon as the 2024-25 season. Los Angeles has been attempting to trade starting point guard D’Angelo Russell, and there isn’t exactly a long list of options on the roster to replace him.
In the event that the Lakers struggle to find a replacement via the Russell trade return, Hood-Schifino could be a candidate for an elevated role.
