Major Insights As Los Angeles Lakers Make Roster Decision After Cavs Game

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers will decline Jalen Hood-Schifino’s contract option for next season.

On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers were defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Ohio, with a final score of 134-110.

Following the game, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the Lakers will not exercise their contract option for Jalen Hood-Schifino for the next season.

Hood-Schifino has not played in any of the team’s first five games. According to Charania, “The Los Angeles Lakers are declining guard Jalen Hood-Schifino’s third-year team option worth $ 4 million for the 2025-26 season, sources tell ESPN. This decision makes the 21-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard an unrestricted free agent this offseason and provides the Lakers with roster flexibility.”

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1852048709879550175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1852048709879550175%7Ctwgr%5Ef6f75efe554f190b5af5a5f2f29020a7312c56f0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Ffannation%2Fnba%2Ffastbreak%2Flos-angeles-lakers-make-roster-decision-after-cavs-game-jalen-hood

Hood-Schifino was selected as the 17th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after playing at Indiana.

In his rookie season, he averaged 1.6 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 22.2% from the field and 13.3% from beyond the arc in 21 games.

According to Keith Smith of Spotrac: “I’m interested to see if another team gives Jalen Hood-Schifino a chance. He hasn’t made a significant impact in the NBA yet, but his G League performance last year was impressive. He has great size for his position, and I believe there’s talent there. He could be a good option for a rebuilding team.”

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1852056088322928719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1852056088322928719%7Ctwgr%5Ef6f75efe554f190b5af5a5f2f29020a7312c56f0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Ffannation%2Fnba%2Ffastbreak%2Flos-angeles-lakers-make-roster-decision-after-cavs-game-jalen-hood

Last year, the former Hoosiers standout recorded averages of 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in 15 G League appearances, shooting 47.3% from the field and 43.2% from beyond the arc.

The Lakers have a record of 3-2 after their first five games of the season. Next, they will travel to Canada to face the Toronto Raptors on Friday evening, following their game against the Cavaliers.