Returns Are Early, But Lakers Seem To Have Missed Out On Drafting Star Rookie

Over the past several seasons, your Los Angeles Lakers have been nailing the mid-to-late first round of drafts. Selections like Kyle Kuzma, Larry Nance Jr., and Josh Hart, have been critical components of the Lakers 2020 title run, or in the trade for Anthony Davis back in 2019.

The 2023 NBA draft, however, has been a bit of a different story. At least, so far.

While it's certainly possible that LA sees some long-term returns from their first-round selection in Jalen Hood-Schifino, the 17th overall pick was taken over a couple of top rookie contributors, including Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat and Brandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors, both of whom were selected immediately after the Lakers' non-rotation shooting guard.

The decision to not draft Jaquez Jr. is a particularly difficult one to come by, as he was a 4-year college player at UCLA, just a few miles from the Lakers' team facility.

The Southern California native was the best player on a Bruins team that had 3 terrific tournament runs over his final 3 seasons there, and in the process, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team twice, the All-Pac-12 First Team twice, and in his senior campaign, was named the best overall player in the conference.

As an already-developed player, adding him to a roster that certainly needed two-way help, especially at the wing spot, would've made tremendous sense. The Lakers may only have one season left with the LeBron James-Anthony Davis pairing, and to best set themselves up for an increasingly competitive path to a championship, drafting a player like Jaquez would've made far more sense than a project player like Hood-Schifino.

I've spoken at lengths about the confusing fit of Hood-Schifino in the short-term vision of the Lakers. In the long-term, after LeBron James is gone, "JHS" is definitely capable of adding value as it pertains to defense, playmaking, and controlling the pace of games. He's a big guard with a lot of good tools, but for the time being, he has no jumpshot, limited feel for the game, and is unplayable alongside James and Davis due to his inability to shoot.

Jaquez Jr. on the other hand, just put up 31 points and 10 rebounds on elite efficiency against the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day, and across the season, has found himself in a starting role for the title-contending Heat.

It's no exaggeration that arguably the sole reason the Heat have looked better this year than last is Jaquez Jr.'s presence, as them losing their starting backcourt (Gabe Vincent and Max Strus) whilst adding limited help via free agency made it seem like they were set up for regression.

Fast forward a few months later, however, and while putting up 14 points on 51% shooting from the field and 38% from 3-point range, Jaquez Jr. has become one of the best players on a top team in the league.

Hood-Schifino on the other hand, is unplayable on one of the less impressive teams in the league. Pelinka messed this one up.