The 2023 NBA draft is in the books, and the Los Angeles Lakers may have obtained at least one very useful player from this year’s crop.
With the No. 17 pick, they took guard Jalen Hood-Schifino out of Indiana University. He has legitimate height at 6 feet, 6 inches and a 6-foot-10 wingspan, and his defensive versatility, midrange game and passing ability give him the potential to eventually become a rotation player.
At No. 40, the Lakers selected Maxwell Lewis, a forward from Pepperdine University who has plenty of athleticism and some serious 3-and-D potential.
They also signed a couple of undrafted free agents once the draft concluded. Colin Castleton, a center from the University of Florida, joined the team on a two-way contract.
Lakers are signing Florida C Colin Castleton to a two-way contract, sources tell @latimes.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 23, 2023
Castleton has legitimate size at 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, and he can score inside and block shots. He averaged 16 points on 50% shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 3 blocks per game this past season for the Gators.
Also joining L.A. on a two-way contract is University of Missouri guard D’Moi Hodge, who has become a good 3-point shooter and also has defensive potential.
The Lakers are signing Missouri G D’Moi Hodge to a 2-way contract, sources tell the @latimes.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 23, 2023
In addition, the team will take a look at 6-foot-8 forward Alex Fudge, who played college ball at Louisiana State University and the University of Florida.
The Lakers are signing Alex Fudge – a 6-9 forward out of Florida – to an Exhibit-10 deal, sources told ESPN.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 23, 2023
Only time will tell if any of the three will turn into the Lakers’ latest undrafted diamond in the rough, a la Austin Reaves or Alex Caruso.