The NBA Draft is always a gamble, and by the time the first round is over, there are often questions about which teams made the right choices. The 2023 draft was particularly intriguing, especially with the generational talent of Victor Wembanyama at the top. While Wembanyama stole the spotlight, other players like Brandon Miller, Grady Dick, and Amen Thompson have already shown their potential in the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who picked 17th in the 2023 draft due to the 2019 trade that brought Anthony Davis to L.A., selected Indiana freshman point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. At the time, Hood-Schifino was seen as a promising upside pick after earning Big Ten Rookie of the Year honors with averages of 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. However, his NBA career has yet to take off, and he’s mostly spent time in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. Despite a strong performance in the G League, where he averaged 22 points per game, Hood-Schifino has struggled to make an impact at the NBA level.
The Lakers have also struggled at the point guard position, especially with D’Angelo Russell being benched and subsequently traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Hood-Schifino, however, has seen limited playing time, appearing in only two games for a total of 14 minutes.
Looking back with the benefit of hindsight, the Lakers would likely have been better off selecting a different player. Here are three prospects that general manager Rob Pelinka should have considered instead of Hood-Schifino.
- Jaime Jaquez
One of the biggest regrets for the Lakers is that Jaime Jaquez, a Pac-12 Player of the Year and All-American, went just one pick after Hood-Schifino. Jaquez, who led UCLA to the Final Four, would have been a perfect fit for a Lakers team focused on championship contention rather than developing multi-year projects. Jaquez’s polished game and experience would have aligned better with the Lakers’ timeline, especially with LeBron James and Anthony Davis aiming for titles rather than nurturing a raw prospect.
Jaquez went on to have an impressive rookie season with the Miami Heat, averaging 11.9 points in over 28 minutes per game. His strong start to the season, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, demonstrates his immediate impact. Jaquez could easily slot into the Lakers’ system, but now the Heat may be looking to him as a potential successor to Jimmy Butler if a trade occurs.
- Brandin Podziemski
Brandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors, despite being considered a disappointment in his second season, showed promise as a rookie. The 19th pick in the 2023 draft, Podziemski finished ninth among rookies in points, fourth in assists, and fifth in rebounds. His ability to contribute in multiple areas would have made him a great addition to the Lakers.
Podziemski shares some similarities with Austin Reaves in his game—he excels at pushing the ball in transition and can shoot from the outside. While his three-point shooting has struggled in his second season, his all-around game would have fit well in L.A., especially given the opportunity to learn from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers could have benefited from Podziemski’s versatility, making him a valuable piece alongside their superstar duo.
- Marcus Sasser
If the Lakers were set on selecting a point guard with the 17th pick, Marcus Sasser would have been a better fit than Hood-Schifino. Sasser, a four-year player and All-American, was the leader of a Houston team that reached the Final Four. Known for his elite defense, Sasser would have immediately addressed the Lakers’ struggles with perimeter defense.
In his rookie season, Sasser posted a solid defensive rating of 114.0, which would rank him among the top guards in the NBA if he had more minutes. His pedigree as a proven winner, having helped lead Houston to an impressive 125-19 record over four years, would have meshed well with LeBron James’ championship chase. Though Sasser has seen a dip in playing time with the Detroit Pistons, his potential is undeniable, and he could have been a valuable asset for the Lakers.
Looking back, there are certainly options the Lakers could have explored instead of drafting Jalen Hood-Schifino. Whether it’s a more immediate impact player like Jaquez or a versatile guard like Podziemski or Sasser, each of these prospects could have helped the Lakers in their quest for a title, with less developmental uncertainty. It’ll be interesting to see how Hood-Schifino’s career evolves, but for now, it’s clear the Lakers missed out on some potential contributors.