Assessing Jalen Hood-Schifino’s Situation on the Lakers

Under the biggest spotlight in basketball, Los Angeles Lakers players have the opportunity to make quite the name for themselves should they find success wearing the purple and gold. This is especially true with LeBron James leading the charge for the squad.

To bolster their run at banner 18, the Lakers drafted Jalen Hood-Schifino out of Indiana with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 Draft, who now finds himself the chance to shine under the brightest lights.

During a productive freshman season in which he averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, Hood-Schifino shot up draft boards. The biggest appeal of the 20-year-old’s game is his identity as a 6-foot-5 offensive creator. He’s a capable and crafty handler who can make impressive passes over the defense and routinely convert pull-ups.

Hood-Schifino finds himself alongside three proven on-ball creators. In addition to James, Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell soak up the majority of the playmaking load. To make an immediate impact, the former Hoosier will have to find ways to add value in other parts of the game.

For one, Hood-Schifino will have to lock up defensively. The Lakers are an elite defensive team, tied together by the greatness of Anthony Davis. The former Montverde star has displayed the ability to be a strong point-of-attack presence, and will need to keep this up in order to get minutes.

Offensively, Hood-Schifino will need to knock down his share of catch-and-shoot 3s, a must for any LeBron-led offensive unit. He was not particularly great at this at the college level, but his mid-range success and baseline of touch give him an encouraging projection as a beyond-the-arc shooter.

As for his creation chops, I believe that the Lakers should deploy him in a similar way they do Reaves. Reaves was my pre-draft comparison for Hood-Schifino for they are both talented mid-range scorers and passers who rely on craft and change of pace to thrive offensively. They both have utility as pick-and-roll operators, which is crucial for a team co-starred by Davis.

While he may not be a big-time creator right out of the gate, should Hood-Schifino earn himself opportunity early on, he will naturally find the repetitions to polish his offensive game. This will not only allow him to help the Lakers playoff push in year one, but fulfill his potential as a ball-handler down the line