The Lakers are declining their third-year team option on 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link). The former Indiana guard will now be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
The option, which was for the 2025/26 season, was valued at $4,064,640. The Lakers — or whichever team Hood-Schifino finishes this season with — will be limited to offering him that figure in free agency, but rival suitors could theoretically exceed that total.
The No. 17 overall pick of last year’s draft, Hood-Schifino battled injuries to open his rookie campaign and had very little NBA run last season, only playing 109 total minutes in 21 games (5.2 MPG). He struggled in the games he did play, going just 10-of-45 from the floor (22.2%) and recording more turnovers (nine) than assists (eight).
Hood-Schifino put up much better numbers in the G League in 15 games with the South Bay Lakers, averaging 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 5.3 APG on .473/.432/.800 shooting, though turnovers were again an issue (3.3 per game).
Hood-Schifino has not been in the Lakers’ rotation to open the ’24/25 season, having played zero minutes to this point.
With the benefit of hindsight and the caveat that he’s only 21 years old, Los Angeles’ decision to draft Hood-Schifino at No. 17 doesn’t look great right now. The three players selected directly after him — Jaime Jaquez, Brandin Podziemski and Cam Whitmore — are playing rotation minutes for competitive teams, with UCLA’s Jaquez and former Santa Clara guard Podziemski earning spots on the All-Rookie First Team in ’23/24.
Decisions on ’25/26 rookie scale team options are due today. We’re tracking all of those decisions right here.
Cant believe they took this dude instead of Jaime Jaquez Jr right in their back yard and Cam Whitmore
Do not forget his ex teammate taken in late 2nd round is starting for the warriors.