The Jazz have requested waivers on second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, the team announced in a press release.
Utah acquired Hood-Schifino a few days ago in the Luka Doncic blockbuster, but obviously he wasn’t in the team’s plans. The news of him being released was first reported on Thursday. Veteran guard Josh Richardson is also expected to be cut by the Jazz.
Still just 21 years old, Hood-Schifino was selected No. 17 overall in the 2023 draft. He spent his first season-and-a-half with the Lakers, who decided not to pick up their 2025/26 team option on his rookie scale contract last fall after the former Indiana standout was limited to just 21 NBA games during his rookie campaign.
Hood-Schifino only appeared in two games this season with Los Angeles for a total of 14 minutes. He had been listed as out for the last two months due to a left hamstring strain.
While his NBA role was extremely limited, Hood-Schifino did put up some solid numbers in the G League last season, averaging 22.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds on .473/.432/.800 shooting in 15 games (35.4 minutes).
Assuming he clears waivers, which seems likely, the Jazz will carry a $3.88MM dead-money cap hit for Hood-Schifino and he will become an unrestricted free agent in a couple days.
Since he’s only in his second season, it’s worth noting that Hood-Schifino is eligible to sign a two-way contract in addition to standard 10-day and rest-of-season deals. However, he’s not eligible to return to the Lakers this season.
Atlanta should waive Bufkin and sign JHS. Develop him into a defensive backup PG
NYK should waive Ryan or Wright and sign JHS
I guess Ryan because the Knicks do need another young player. They have a young wing and big man so it makes sense as a SG/PG defensive guard. Good idea
Someone said GS and that is a good idea to develop as a Shaun Livingston clone
Ya, I think if they used him right, he could help them; I was thinking kind of more Spencer dinwiddie than Livingston, but kind of somewhere in that mold
I also mentioned Richardson for them, if he’s healthy…but I don’t know what room they have/who they are eligible to sign to get to 14 players, and how close they are to their hardcap
Gsw would be good. They have slots open
He’s not healthy, relax on the whole signing him thing. Maybe in the summer, to a Two-Way
JHS didn’t have his 1st option picked up for a reason, which is the same reason he couldn’t get off the LAL bench. Certainly, no playoff team is picking him up with the idea that he’s going to play meaningful minutes this season.
NYK can’t sign anyone to a standard contract until March (and, when they can, it will be someone who can actually play and help them win). But, a 2-way is possible, if they can be sold on him being worth the development time. NYK FO is close with his college HC and should have good intel on him. Issue is likely not being ready AND having a low ceiling. He was a college star based on size, and having a complete skill set for a teen, but he had no elite athletic attributes and is a subpar NBA athlete.
Hmm, so other than he’s not healthy, it would seem he’s got some possible mental or confidence issues?
Laker fans seem to be pretty brutally honest that he’s pretty bad. It’s hard to see that from a highlight perspective. Sometimes that can also happen because of a logjam at their position.
As for the athlete part, you don’t have to be an elite athlete to have a long, successful NBA career. Although, guys like Joe Ingles are extremely clever and skilled. The only downside is that time catches up to them quicker.
Guess the Lakers and Jazz didn’t project his skills and IQ as future-proof. That and the Jazz already have a logjam of guards that are better. Plus, they acquired KJ Martin who has a higher ceiling, possibly.
Nah they really needed a b/u PG all along
Vincent was hurt early and well you know what Shake Milton is
The opportunity was there
I have a feeling it’s a mental thing for him. Perhaps he should go overseas for a couple years to figure things out? A little culture and learning a second language couldn’t hurt the ol’ brain. =)
So what are you guys’ projections on KJ Martin for the Jazz? Think he’ll be any better for them? They do have a good track record of developing players.
Very unathletic, cant shoot, cant go right, has zero confidence (valid today considering ) not a great passer
But hey he’s got positional height!….. Its just a misfire, someone will take a chance but I dont think it will lead anywhere…..15 years ago he’d have a better shot but he’s a space cruncher today and well you better really have some shiny traits if thats the case (he doesnt)
Gotcha. What did he do differently in Houston? Just different confidence?
I think I was thinking of someone else