3 Lakers Who Could be Traded During the NBA Draft

3. Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG

Since 2019, the Lakers have only drafted one player in the first round who's gone on to play for them and that's Jalen Hood-Schifino. Los Angeles selected the former Indiana point guard 17th overall in 2023 after he averaged 13.5 PTS/4.1 REB/3.7 AST/0.8 STL en route to receiving 2022-23 Big Ten Rookie of the Year honors.

While no one expected him to tear up the NBA in Year 1, it's safe to say that Hood-Schifino's rookie campaign left much to be desired. The 21-year-old struggled to fit into Darvin Ham's plans as he only averaged 5.2 minutes across 21 bench appearances, resulting in his averaging 1.6 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.4 blocks, and .222/.133/.600 shooting splits.

Hood-Schifino is young enough to improve, that the Lakers might also want to capitalize on his youth through the trade market. Being a former first-rounder who just turned 21 is likely to make Hood-Schifno enticing to a suitor who believes that can rehabilitate him. If he doesn't fit into head coach J.J. Redick's outlook, it makes even more sense to trade him sooner rather than later.

Having a promising prospect is great and all, but there's always the possibility that Hood-Schifino doesn't become anything special. Rather than gamble on 'what if,' it's clear that the Lakers should consider moving him if it means landing some immediate help.

Besides, the Lakers could always replace him with a PG prospect with either the No. 17 or 56 picks this week.

In other Lakers news: