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Jalen Hood-Schifino

Lakers Notes: Ham, Davis, Hood-Schifino, Reaves

July 9th, 2023 at 2:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Lakers coach Darvin Ham is feeling good about his team’s title chances after a successful offseason, writes Mark Medina of The Sporting Tribune. L.A. was able to add Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes while keeping Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt on team-friendly contracts.

“Our franchise has that tag of chasing down stars and trying to acquire the best possible talent across the board. But sometimes I think the way the game is trending, it’s all about cohesiveness,” Ham said. “It’s not just about winning right now. It’s about being able to win right now and have sustainability pieces.”

Ham believes having depth and the right complementary players is more important than adding a third star to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Medina states. Ham is willing to let any battles for playing time be worked out once training camp begins.

“There’s a lot of competition in the building. We have to let all of this stuff play out.” Ham said. “We’re just cracking into July, man. We don’t have to start until October. They’ll get an answer pretty soon on September 29th.”

There’s more from Los Angeles:

  • Davis will become eligible for an extension on August 4, but the Lakers may be reluctant to give him the maximum amount he can earn, according to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. Although Davis is among the league’s best players, he missed 26 games last season and health will become a bigger concern now that he has turned 30. An Eastern Conference executive speculates that the Lakers might prefer to take their chances with Davis in free agency if he exercises an early termination option after next season. “There will be a bit more money on the market in 2024,” the executive said. “That would make them nervous. But nervous enough to give (Davis) $60 million a year? I doubt that. Because the Pacers aren’t giving him $60 million per year and you do not want to bid against yourself. It’s got to be reasonable for both sides. If Davis would play ball and sign for less, two years and $80 million or something, then maybe something gets done.”
  • First-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino had his lowest-scoring game of the summer on Friday, but the Lakers want him to concentrate more on play-making and especially defense, per Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. “That’s going to be his calling card early,” said Summer League coach JD DuBois. “Can you guard point of attack, get into the ball, pursue and guard without fouling? As long as he can progress in those areas, we have enough guys on offense to where he’ll be able to fit in. Defense will be that foundation for him.”
  • Steve Kerr’s battles with Reaves impressed the Warriors coach enough to add him to Team USA’s FIBA World Cup roster, Price adds in a separate piece. Kerr explained that he was looking for versatility, size and play-making for the international tournament, and Reaves provides all those things.
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Lakers Sign Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis

July 8th, 2023 at 1:29pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers have officially locked up their two 2023 draft picks, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis to their first NBA contracts (Twitter link via Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group).

The No. 17 overall pick, Hood-Schifino is in line for a four-year contract worth up to $17.9MM, including $3.7MM in year one, assuming he signs for 120% of the standard rookie scale, which virtually every first-rounder does.

The 6’6″ wing, who spent last season at Indiana, was named the Big Ten Rookie of the Year after averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 33.1 minutes per game across 32 contests (all starts). He declared for the draft as an early entrant after a strong freshman year.

Lewis, meanwhile, was the No. 40 overall pick, so the details of his deal aren’t yet known. However, it’s very likely that the Lakers used the new second-round pick exception to sign him to a three- or four-year contract that will include a team option on the final season.

Lewis spent two college seasons at Pepperdine before entering the draft following his sophomore year this spring. In 2022/23, he put up 17.1 points per night on .468/.348/.787 shooting, adding 5.7 RPG and 2.8 APG in 31 games (31.4 MPG).

With Hood-Schifino and Lewis under contract, the Lakers are carrying 13 players on standard deals and three on two-ways. They’ll make at least one more roster addition, but won’t necessarily carry a full 15-man standard roster to start the 2023/24 regular season.

As our list of draft pick signings shows, 43 players from the 2023 draft class have now officially signed with their respective teams.

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Pacific Notes: Suns, Ayton, Camara, Lakers, Warriors

June 25th, 2023 at 10:02am CST by Luke Adams

Responding to a Saturday report that suggested the Suns are interested in using Deandre Ayton as a trade chip to acquire Tobias Harris from the Sixers, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 calls the rumor “just total BS,” tweeting that Phoenix has “no interest” in such a deal.

Gambadoro, who reported earlier in the week that Ayton appears unlikely to be traded, reiterated that point in his tweet on Sunday. While that doesn’t mean that the former No. 1 overall pick is a lock to begin next season in Phoenix, Gambadoro is pretty plugged in on Suns issues, so it sounds – for now at least – like Ayton is a good bet to stay put.

Here’s more from around the Pacific:

  • The Suns didn’t have a first-round pick on Thursday night, but they were able to add a young player using a second-rounder, the last one they’ll own until 2031. Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com takes a look at what the team should expect from No. 52 pick Toumani Camara.
  • The Lakers‘ No. 17 pick was mentioned in a series of trade rumors leading up to the draft, but the team hung onto it and nabbed Jalen Hood-Schifino, whom Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka referred to as a “lottery-level talent,” adding he “fits well with the young core that we’re building here.” As Jovan Buha of The Athletic writes, by drafting Hood-Schifino – and Maxwell Lewis at No. 40 – rather than trading for a veteran, the team was prioritizing its future over its present, at least on draft night.
  • Although the Warriors‘ leaders can’t formally address the Chris Paul acquisition until it becomes official, head coach Steve Kerr told Tim Kawakami of The Athletic that the team “sensed we needed a shift” entering the offseason. “Didn’t mean we needed an overhaul, but we needed a shift of some sort. I think everybody in the organization sensed that,” Kerr explained. “And it feels like we’ve made a pretty significant shift without giving up our identity and our sense of who we are as a team. I think, all in all, it’s a very positive shift.”
  • In case you missed, we rounded up a few Clippers-related items earlier this morning.
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Draft Rumors: Pelicans, Blazers, Pistons, Jazz, Wizards, Bufkin, Raptors, More

June 20th, 2023 at 9:03am CST by Luke Adams

The chatter about the possibility of the Pelicans moving into the top three of Thursday’s draft to select Scoot Henderson has “died down in recent days,” Jeremy Woo writes in ESPN’s latest mock draft (Insider link). While New Orleans could still look to make a deal involving the No. 14 pick, Woo says the team seems reluctant to move either Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram and the Hornets appear unlikely to move off of No. 2.

As for the Trail Blazers, they continue to talk to various teams about the No. 3 pick, but they also seem content to select whoever is available between Henderson and Brandon Miller, per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Sources tell Givony that unless Portland gets an offer it can’t turn down, the club may just hang onto that pick.

Elsewhere in the top half of the lottery, the “intel has shifted” regarding the Pistons‘ pick at No. 5, according to Givony, who says Cam Whitmore no longer looks like a safe projection at that spot. A trade down seems increasingly viable, given that Detroit likes several players who would probably be a reach at No. 5, including Taylor Hendricks, Gradey Dick, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Cason Wallace.

Givony identifies the Jazz – who hold the ninth, 16th, and 28th overall picks – as one possible trade partner for the Pistons, writing that Utah is exploring many trade scenarios and has been frequently linked to forward Jarace Walker. The Jazz would likely have to move ahead of the Pacers at No. 7 to have a shot at Walker, Givony adds.

Here’s more from ESPN’s draft experts:

  • Anthony Black returned to D.C. over the weekend for a second workout with the Wizards, Woo reports. Multiple recent reports have linked Black to the Wizards, who hold the No. 8 overall pick. Woo says he’s “strongly in the mix” but also names Ausar Thompson and “dark horse” Kobe Bufkin as targets to watch for Washington.
  • Bufkin is a hot name to watch in the back half of the lottery, according to Givony and Woo, who suggest there has been speculation that the Michigan guard received a promise from a team like the Raptors (No. 13). Speaking of Toronto, Givony has heard from sources that free agent center Jakob Poeltl prefers not to be on a rebuilding team next season. While the Raptors aren’t considered likely to blow up their roster this summer, that’s a factor to take into account as they weigh potential paths.
  • A “large swath” of the league has called the Mavericks about the No. 10 pick, according to Woo, who writes that Dallas is still weighing its options. The Mavs are fond of some prospects in that range and would like to stay in the draft but are also seeking win-now pieces, Woo notes.
  • The Hornets have “made overtures” to some wings projected to be picked before No. 27, which is an indication that they may be exploring a trade up from No. 27 using one or more of their second-round picks (Nos. 34, 39, 41), Givony writes. The franchise’s incoming owners aren’t expected to have a major impact on Charlotte’s draft selections, but Givony wonders if the new ownership group could influence Charlotte’s plan with restricted free agent Miles Bridges, who missed all of last season following domestic violence charges.
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Draft Rumors: Lively, Miller, Henderson, Amen Thompson, Whitmore

June 19th, 2023 at 8:06am CST by Arthur Hill

Dereck Lively’s strong showing during the pre-draft process could make him a top-10 pick, according to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. The Duke center was considered to be a mid-to-late first-rounder when he declared for the draft, but sources tell Wasserman that he has been impressing teams with his shooting touch during his pro day and workouts.

Lively didn’t have a large role in the Blue Devils’ offense, averaging just 5.2 points and 3.4 field goal attempts per game. However, teams have watched his videos from high school and believe he may have potential as a stretch four. That combined with his shot-blocking ability give him the profile of a modern NBA big man.

The Wizards at No. 8 are considered the highest potential draft spot for Lively, according to Wasserman, who hears that the Mavericks at 10, Magic at 11, Thunder at 12 and Pelicans at 14 are also interested.

There are more draft rumors to pass along, all from Wasserman:

  • Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson both have supporters in the Hornets‘ front office, sources tell Wasserman. Today’s planned workout and meeting with owner Michael Jordan could tip the scales on which player is selected at No. 2. Miller has been the presumed pick for several weeks, but Wasserman hasn’t been able to track down how that rumor began. Most scouts that he’s talked to see Henderson as the better player, but Charlotte has to consider who would fit best alongside LaMelo Ball.
  • The Rockets‘ choice at No. 4 appears to be coming down to Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore. Sources tell Wasserman that the team likely views Thompson as the best player available, but its confidence in landing James Harden in free agency could influence whether it wants a play-maker like Thompson or a scorer like Whitmore. The Villanova forward has been impressive during pre-draft workouts and has made the decision more difficult for Houston’s front office, Wasserman adds. Sources tell him that Thompson is still considered the more likely choice because of his fit with Jalen Green.
  • Olivier-Maxence Prosper has raised his stock continuously since the draft combine and may go in the top 20, according to Wasserman’s sources. The Marquette guard has worked out for at least 16 teams, displaying defensive skills, a competitive attitude and shooting potential. Several lottery teams are interested, according to Wasserman, but they may consider trading down for him.
  • Arkansas’ Anthony Black is considered to be the most likely choice for the Wizards, and sources tell Wasserman that the Jazz are expected to take Black at No. 9 if Washington passes on him.
  • Michigan’s Kobe Bufkin appears to have reached lottery status, with rival teams seeing the Raptors as his floor at No. 13. Wasserman notes that Bufkin hasn’t taken part in many workouts, which could indicate that he has received a draft promise.
  • Wasserman identifies Lively, Bufkin, Indiana’s Jalen Hood-Schifino and France’s Bilal Coulibaly as players who have probably risen into the lottery, leaving Baylor’s Keyonte George and Arkansas’ Nick Smith Jr. as the most likely to slide into the 15-20 range.
  • Belmont’s Ben Sheppard may be a target for teams looking to trade up into the middle of the first round, Wasserman adds.
  • Wasserman hears that the Rockets aren’t expected to keep their pick at No. 20 and appear willing to trade it for a future first-rounder.
  • Once Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick is off the board, UConn’s Jordan Hawkins will be the next target for teams in need of shooting help, according to Wasserman, who states that the Magic might consider him at No. 11.
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Draft Notes: Rockets, Thompsons, Black, Green Room Invites, Osunniyi, Burton

June 13th, 2023 at 5:38pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Rockets hold the No. 4 pick and they were visited this week by three candidates who could potentially be selected at that spot. The Overtime Elite brother duo of Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson and Arkansas’ Anthony Black met with Houston’s brass. Amen and Ausar are currently ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, on ESPN’s Best Available list with Black slotted at No. 8. The Thompsons reportedly met recently with the Pistons, who hold the No. 5 pick. They’ve also visited the Hornets (No. 2) and Trail Blazers (No. 3). There has been much less intel on Black’s pre-draft visits.

We have more draft-related info:

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NBA Reveals Players Expected At 2023 Draft Combine

May 9th, 2023 at 6:36pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The NBA has announced 78 players that are expected to attend this year’s draft combine, scheduled for May 15-21 at in Chicago, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports tweets.

Additionally, a select number of standout players from the G League Elite Camp, which takes place May 13-14 in Chicago, will be invited to participate in the combine.

Players will have interviews with NBA teams and participate in five-on-five scrimmages, as well as shooting, strength and agility drills. Some top prospects opt out of the scrimmages.

Victor Wembanyama, the projected top pick, is not on the list. His French League season is still ongoing.

The list of invitees is as follows:

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Indiana’s Jalen Hood-Schifino Enters 2023 NBA Draft

March 31st, 2023 at 10:11am CST by Luke Adams

Indiana freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is declaring for the 2023 NBA draft and will forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Adrian Wojnarowski.

According to ESPN’s duo, Hood-Schifino didn’t initially project as an obvious one-and-done player, but a strong freshman year improved his draft stock and has made him a potential lottery pick. He ranks 13th overall on Givony’s list of this year’s top 100 prospects.

A 6’6″ guard, Hood-Schifino averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 33.1 minutes per game (32 contests) as a freshman, posting a shooting line of .417/.333/.776. The youngster took the reins at point guard for the Hoosiers when Xavier Johnson suffered a season-ending injury and helped the team claim a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.

“NBA teams were able to see that I can take over a game, create my own shot, run a team, that I have a high IQ, that I’m tough, and that I have a unique pace to my game,” Hood-Schifino told ESPN. “I’m looking forward to showing the NBA teams my body measurements matching what’s on paper, my athleticism, and my shooting ability.”

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