Lakers Rumors: Third-Year Team Option On Jalen Hood-Schifino Declined
Jalen Hood-Schifino, Lakers
Oct 18, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (0) calls a play against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Jalen Hood-Schifino has yet to make any significant waves since the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in that 2023 NBA Draft. However, he showed some moments of promise during preseason and may get a chance this year to expand upon his skillset spending more time with the parent team.

With Hood-Schifino being a first-round pick, the Lakers signed him to a four-year, $17.9 million contract which is the rookie-scale deal for a No. 17 pick. As is the case with all first-round picks, Hood-Schifino got two guaranteed years under contract before the team has power over the third and fourth years of the deal.

On Thursday, it was reported that the Lakers are declining the third-year team option on Hood-Schifino, which comes as a bit of a surprise, via Shams Charania of The Athletic:

The Los Angeles Lakers are declining the third-year rookie option on guard Jalen Hood-Schifino worth $4 million for next season, sources told ESPN.

The move will make the 6-foot-5 combo guard an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and creates roster flexibility for a Lakers team currently set to start the next offseason over the salary cap.

Hood-Schifino, 21, would have made $4.06 million next season to be on the Lakers roster if his option was picked up but will instead be an unrestricted free agent.

While picking up the option would have given the Lakers more time to evaluate a young prospect, it appears they had seen enough to decide they did not want to commit to Hood-Schifino beyond this season.

The second-year guard is currently with the G League and will have plenty of opportunities to thrive in the brand new development system brought in by head coach JJ Redick. The more intriguing decision will come around the trade deadline, where he can now be used as salary filler since his contract is expiring.

Jalen Hood-Schifino learning from Gabe Vincent

Jalen Hood-Schifino wasn’t expected to be an immediate contributor, drafted as more of a project from the No. 17 slot in 2023, but the hope is that he can make a leap in Year 2.

He showed some flashes in the Lakers’ preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He looked smoother than he had in his entire rookie season at the NBA level, finishing with six points, four rebounds and six assists in 27 minutes.

One of the reasons for this improvement could be the time he has spent learning from veteran Gabe Vincent over the last year. The two have had plenty of time to work together with both not playing much at the NBA level last season, and Hood-Schifino credits Vincent as an important veteran for him.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

You May Also Like

Lakers News: JJ Redick Gives Bronny James Advice On Dealing With Criticism

There is perhaps no rookie in the 2024 NBA Draft class with more eyes on him than Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James…

Lakers News: Former Teammates Jaxson Hayes & JJ Redick Adjusting To New Dynamic

A big challenge for first-time head coaches is getting buy-in from their players, and that is always amplified with the Los Angeles Lakers…

NBA Rumors: Cardiac Screening Required If Player Tests Positive For Coronavirus

The NBA has been the model for American sports in terms of handling the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic…

Lakers Injury Update: Lonnie Walker IV Misses Game Against Trail Blazers With Left Foot Soreness

Just before tipoff on Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that Lonnie Walker IV…