Lakers News: Fans React To LA's Decision To Draft Jalen Hood-Schifino In First Round

When your Los Angeles Lakers selected Indiana University shooting guard/small forward Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 pick in Thursday's draft, LA fans took to Twitter to register their thoughts. The response was a bit mixed, all told.

Although he's more of a shooting guard than a lead playmaker, he drew a fan comp to three-time All-Star point guard Deron Williams, who parlayed a terrific NCAA career at the University of Illinois to a lengthy pro run with the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers:

Jalen Hood Schifino is the next Deron Williams and will surprise people from day one. pic.twitter.com/A3GiIk2oBZ
— King (@sleyknowshoop) June 25, 2023

One fan sees Hood-Schifino as more of a long-term piece for LA:

Jalen Hood-Schifino more appropriate for the future, after Lebron James retires.
Championship contender Lakers need 6'7 Small Forward Maxwell Lewis with his 7'1 wingspan RIGHT NOW.
— Dre Day (@ddpage369) June 25, 2023

The Box and One, an NBA draft analysis page from boys' basketball high school coach Adam Spinella, praised Hood-Schifino for his flexibility creating plays out of pick-and-roll actions:

One fan, presumably a pessimist, sees a lot of Talen Horton-Tucker in Hood-Schifino. THT was a major disappointment for Los Angeles after flashing early promise. He's most effective with the ball in his hands, but even then he isn't all that effective! Here's hoping Hood-Schifino isn't just a THT redux.

Jalen Hood-Schifino and Talen Horton-Tucker…🤔 same beat different song? pic.twitter.com/9Fx5YnViLz
— The 3PT Field Goal (@The3ptFG) June 25, 2023

Another fan was amped for the pick:

Jalen Hood-Schifino 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/8ptaw1kwpW
— David Portillo (@DPORTILLO_0) June 25, 2023

Here's hoping Hood-Schifino can thrive as an off ball, jump shooting option for Los Angeles and can be a legitimate part of the team's rotation sooner rather than later. Thanks to his cheap rookie scale contract and the team's opportunity to match any long-term offer tendered his way in restricted free agency after that, he could be under team control for the better part of a decade if things work out.

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