Lakers Draft Prospect Details
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers made some splashes in Thursday’s NBA draft with an early morning start to move up from the 47th pick to the 40th for $4.35 million with the Indiana Pacers, followed up by a solid draft of high-potential prospects now headed to Los Angeles.
With the 17th pick and the 40th pick, the Lakers’ rumors of a trade grew louder, with thoughts of one of their draft picks in a potential package for a veteran. But the Lakers ultimately decided to continue their youth trend around their aging stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Draft acquisitions:
PG/SG: Jalen Hood-Schifino (1st Round, 17th Pick)
SG/SF: Maxwell Lewis (2nd Round, 40th Pick)
Undrafted free-agent acquisitions:
PF/C: Colin Castleton (2-Way Contract)
SG: D’Moi Hodge (2-Way Contract)
SF: Alex Fudge (Exhibit-10 Contract)
Jalen Hood-Schifino
With the 17th pick in the first round, the Lakers selected 6'5 guard Jalen Hood-Schifino out of Indiana. As a freshman, Hood-Schifino averaged 13.5 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from three and 41.7% overall.
Hood-Schifino was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and made the All-Big Ten Second Team to finish his stellar freshman year under former NBA head coach Mike Woodson. His biggest collegiate game came in a big road matchup against Purdue, where he finished with a career-high 35-point performance.
At 210 pounds, Hood-Schifino is a physical 6'5 two-way guard who excels at the pick-and-roll and off the dribble. He plays more smoothly with controlled attacking than explosively, with command in the paint who is not afraid of contact.
Hood-Schifino’s 6'5 frame and 6'10 wingspan makes him an above-average rebounder and defender, combined with his high IQ and on-ball defense.
“To be able to get a lottery-level talent in Jalen Hood-Schifino with the 17th pick is something we’re incredibly excited about,” said vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka.
Pelinka added that they view Hood-Schifino as a player who can play both point guard and shooting guard for the Lakers.
Maxwell Lewis
With the 40th pick in the second round, the Lakers selected 6'7 three-and-D forward Maxwell Lewis out of Pepperdine. As a sophomore, Lewis averaged 17.1 points and 5.7 rebounds, shooting 34.8% from three and 46.8% overall.
Lewis provides the Lakers with a lengthy three-level scoring forward who excels at attacking the rim but also requires respect as a shooter. Lewis' ability to create scoring opportunities off the dribble and on the catch-and-shoot is what makes his potential promising at the NBA level.
Lewis’ NBA frame makes him an intriguing prospect with tons of upside to be polished into a quality forward. At a legitimate NBA 6'7 height and 7'0 wingspan, Lewis fills in all the boxes you want in a forward as a solid defender and rebounder who can create shots on his own or on the catch, with his negatives being coachable.
Lewis struggled on the playmaking end in college, with 3.3 turnovers and just 2.8 assists per game in his final season at Pepperdine.
Colin Castleton
The Lakers wasted no time obtaining undrafted free agents right after the draft, with the biggest signing being two-way bigman Colin Castleton out of Florida, who could have gone in the second round but wanted to choose his preferred destination just like new Laker teammate Austin Reaves did in 2021.
Castleton was one of the best shot blockers in the country at Florida, averaging 3.0 blocks per game, earning him the 2023 USA Today Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the 2023 All-SEC First Team and the SEC All-Defensive Team.
Castleton’s passing and court vision are above average for a 6'11 big man. He is an effective passer at the elbow and top of the key, making the right reads to any open man.
Castleton has the threatening ability to start the fast break off, and his ability to find an open man can be a recipe for success at the next level.
With tons of upside and an NBA-ready frame, Castleton’s downside is his consistency when shooting from three, with a 13% three-point percentage on almost one attempt per game in his final year. Although he wasn't shy about taking an open three at the pick-and-pop when given, Castleton can evolve and develop a shot with some polishing.
D’Moi Hodge
The Lakers continued adding two players with the undrafted addition of guard D’Moi Hodge out of Missouri.
Hodge’s three-and-D strength was the most intriguing part of his game. He averaged 2.3 steals and shot 40% from three in his final year. At 6'4, Hodges has the ideal size you want in a guard with his tenacious on-ball presence.
At Missouri, Hodge was named to the 2023 SEC All-Tournament Team and was a 2023 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year Finalist.
Hodge’s best game came in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Utah State, where he finished with an impressive 23 points on 5-for-10, 50% shooting from three, and four steals.
Alex Fudge
Alex Fudge was the final undrafted addition for the Lakers, joining his college teammate Castleton. He could be a developmental prospect who could spend most of his time with the team's G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
Fudge was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract, allowing the Lakers to convert the contract to a two-way contract.
At 6'8, Fudge possesses the desired length and size of a forward prospect. However, his shortcomings lie in areas where forward players are expected to excel, particularly in his below-average three-point shooting and free-throw percentages during his time at Florida.
Fudge shot 22.9% from three and 58.9% from the foul line.
Fudge’s best attributes come on the defensive end. With a seven-foot wingspan, Fudge has the length and size to stay in front of bigger guards and forwards at the pro level.
