The Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough exit versus the Nuggets in the Conference Finals. They had a great postseason run, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, as well as the young core putting it all on the floor.
The Lakers currently have a pretty strong group of young players who seem to be promising assets for the team. Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker, and Rui Hachimura to name a few. As the 2023 NBA draft brought 58 new players to the league, the Lakers had two of their picks.
The team finished 7th in the West and held one first-round pick and one second-round pick in this year’s draft. Hours before the draft, the Lakers decided to send their 47th overall to Indiana in exchange for a 40th overall pick. The deal also involved cash considerations that the Lakers sent to the Pacers, which was around $4.35 million. Regardless their highest pick this year was the first-round 17th pick from Indiana Hoosiers.
The Los Angeles Lakers receive yet another young contributor as they continue to build a championship-level team
The Lakers selected Jalen Hood Schifino in the first round. The 20-year-old out of Indiana has played one season with the Hoosiers, putting up solid numbers. Jalen averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists a game, on a 41% shooting from the field.
Rob Pelinka calls Jalen Hood-Schifino a “lottery-level talent” and lauded his size, wingspan and basketball IQ bringing “positional size” to the PG spot. He also credited JHS’ professional habits with training and diet in his freshman year at IU as indicators he’ll fit in.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 23, 2023
The Lakers already have a batch of special young talent who will benefit the franchise in the future, though this pick of theirs adds more depth to their roster. General Manager, Rob Pelinka, believes Jalen to be a lottery-level talent, as the youngster has the size to fill the point guard spot.
Rob Pelinka calls Jalen Hood-Schifino a “lottery-level talent” and lauded his size, wingspan and basketball IQ bringing “positional size” to the PG spot. He also credited JHS’ professional habits with training and diet in his freshman year at IU as indicators he’ll fit in.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 23, 2023
Los Angeles continues to improve its roster in other aspects, as they did focus on trades and landing better picks on the draft night. Jalen on the other hand, is a great scorer, who has a great touch from the mid-range, as well as knows his way to the bucket in pick-n’-roll situations.
He is also a great passer and a decent defender, guarding multiple positions. While he does have to improve his decision-making and outside shooting consistency, Jalen is a good fit for the Lakers.
The team did have a chance to move up in the draft in the first round, though they decided to stick with their original pick, which turned out to be great for them. They also drafted Maxwell Lewis at 40th overall, who they got after climbing up seven spots in the second round, in exchange for a large sum.
Both these players are considered to be great fits for the franchise as the championship-building process is still in the works. It will be interesting to see what moves the franchise decides to make, looking to contend for the title in the next season as well.