Lakers, Bucks part ways with first-round picks Jalen Hood-Schifino, MarJon Beauchamp
Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 17: Jalen Hood-Schifino #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball during the first half of the preseason NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 17, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: By downloading or using this photo, the user agrees to Getty Images’ license terms. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Teams with title-contending superstars must nail their draft selections in the latter part of the first round. Ideally, they land a Brandin Podziemski (19th), Payton Pritchard (26th), or, if luck favors them, a Tyrese Maxey (21st).
However, sometimes picks don’t work out, and it’s wiser to cut losses early. This was evident on Thursday, the deadline for teams to exercise rookie contract options for next season. According to multiple sources, the Lakers and Bucks have opted against extending the team options for two former first-round picks, Jalen Hood-Schifino and MarJon Beauchamp.
Both players will enter free agency after this season.
Hood-Schifino, the 17th pick in 2023, is in his second year with the Lakers, but as reported by Chris Haynes, the team declined his third-year option. His rookie season was marred by injuries, initially with a preseason knee injury, followed by a back injury that led to a lumbar microdiscectomy in March, sidelining him for much of the second half. His recovery kept him out of Summer League, and his preseason stats were underwhelming with 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over 19.8 minutes per game. He has yet to play this season.
Beauchamp, a 6’6″ guard in his third year with Milwaukee, has logged just nine minutes across four games this season. The 24th pick in 2022, Beauchamp has faced an unstable environment with three head coaches in as many years. Although Adrian Griffin gave him a chance last season—where he appeared in 33 games and shot 40% from three—he’s not in Doc Rivers’ current plans. Beauchamp was slated to make $4.8 million next season.