The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery was completed on Tuesday night and while the San Antonio Spurs were drawn as the No. 1 spot, the rest of the lottery and first round was cemented. There is now a clear path for Indiana basketball guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Hood-Schifino is slotted to get drafted in the first round and has potential to be selected in the late lottery.
Here is a breakdown of some of the potential landing spots that would make sense for the former Indiana basketball guard — and Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Pick No. 17
The Lakers have a really intriguing offseason coming up. Despite still ongoing in the Western Conference Finals, there are real questions about the roster this offseason.
For starters, point guard Dennis Schröder is an impending free agent, unrestricted at that. He has signed one-year deals in all three of his last contract agreements. The question remains whether or not he will want to sign a short-team deal, which is likely with the Lakers, this offseason or if the Lakers will want him back.
Then, move to Austin Reaves. Reaves has burst onto the scene this season. He is averaging 13.0 points, 3.4 assists and shooting 39.8 percent from three this season. But, his playoff push has put him in position to see a nice payday this offseason, when he is a restricted free agent. He is averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and shooting 41.7 percent from three in postseason play.
According to some reports, a multi-year deal worth at least $50 million is potentially on the table.
With question marks surrounding both of those backcourt players, there is a real need in the backcourt. Outside of D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers are in need of ball handlers and players who can play both on and off of ball. Hood-Schfiino has the ability to do both and his mentality is one that would mesh with a team looking to compete for an NBA Title in the final years of LeBron James.
Golden State Warriors – Pick No. 19
This is another intriguing potential landing spot for Hood-Schifino. There is no question that the Warriors window of winning NBA Championships is shrinking. A main reason for that is the age of its core. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are all on the back half of their careers. Getting players who can come in and compete immediately is critical. Having a backcourt player who can see significant minutes right away is critical in keeping Curry and Thompson healthy throughout the season and into the playoffs.
The other big question is Jordan Poole. The Warriors signed Poole to a four-year and $128 million extension this past offseason — but it hasn’t been a terrific season. Now, there are questions as to whether or not he is the real answer for this team as currently constructed. There is also a question as to whether Poole wants to continue being utilized in a sixth-man role.
There is a real path to where the Warriors decide to make a deal with Poole involved this offseason. If so, Hood-Schifino makes sense. The Warriors have gone very young with a lot of their recent draft picks and Hood-Schifino could add to that.
New Orleans Pelicans – Pick No. 14
When looking at the lottery selections, this seems like the team that could go with Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Right now, the Pelicans have no true point guard on the roster and mainly used CJ McCollum as the lead guard last season. Hood-Schifino can play both on and off of the ball and his ‘combo’ guard skillset goes with the players the Pelicans like to use in their backcourt.
The one potential knock with taking Hood-Schifino here could be the true knockdown shooting ability. He’s not a legit knockdown shooter in terms of off of the ball opportunities. At Indiana, his ability to knock down shots was more effective when he had the ball in his hands. The Pelicans utilize Brandon Ingram a lot on the ball, as they do with McCollum.
Hood-Schifino could be utilized more on the ball as McCollum is a very good shooter off of the ball as well. Regardless, the need is there for someone who can play the lead guard spot and the former Indiana basketball standout could be their guy.
Atlanta Hawks – Pick No. 15
A lot of mock drafts have Hood-Schifino landing in Atlanta. It’s an interesting option as the Hawks have a lot of questions to answer about their roster and where it stands.
The main question mark is what they will do with John Collins. Collins has been the subject of a lot of trade rumors over the last two seasons and was heavily rumored around the trade deadline this year as well. If the Hawks move on from Collins, that would give a bit more clarity to where they go with this pick.
Either way, however, the Hawks need more players who can create their own shot. Outside of Trae Young, there is a real drop-off on players who can create themselves. That’s been a big downfall for the Hawks in the playoffs the last few years — and a reason why their ceiling is maxed out right now.
Hood-Schifino would immediately step into a second-unit guy who could be given the keys much like at Indiana. His ability to be used in screen and roll situations would give the Hawks more life outside of just Trae Young.
Brooklyn Nets – Pick No. 21
If Hood-Schifino falls into the 20s, the Nets are a team that could feast on the opportunity to grab him. There are real questions surrounding the Nets backcourt behind Spencer Dinwiddie and Hood-Schifino would fit perfectly.
The Nets ended their championship quest at the trade deadline, dealing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Now, they are full of a young core including Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Nic Clayton. Hood-Schifino has the same gritty mindset as that group and would fit well coming in with the second unit if that were the case.
Adding Hood-Schifino to play more of an on-ball role would open up Dinwiddie to be more of a scoring option.
The Nets need to keep adding young talent in order to sustain the success they had late in the season with this core. Hood-Schifino makes all too much sense for them.
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