Jalen Hood-Schifino will enter free agency much earlier than the Los Angeles Lakers had planned.

ESPN’s Shams Charania On Thursday, the Lakers reportedly declined a 2025-26 club option worth $4 million on a 2023 first-round pick. As a result, he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The move is an admission that he didn’t see a future with Hood-Schifino after drafting him 17th overall out of Los Angeles. Jaime Jaquez Jr., who contributed positively to their team as a rookie, was selected ahead of Brandin Podziemski and Cam Whitmore.

Hood-Schifino played in 21 games for the Lakers and averaged 1.6 points on 22.2 percent shooting.

He spent part of the season with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League, scoring 22 points per game in 15 games.

During training camp, forward Rui Hachimura was excited about the 21-year-old.

“Jalen was great” he told reporters. “I can see that he’s put a lot of work into his body. He’s gotten a lot stronger. I can see that he’s just, you know, more confident… I think he looks strong and healthy, which I like.”

However, Hood-Schifino failed to impress first-year head coach JJ Redick enough to earn a regular role in the rotation. He has not yet played his first match of the 2024-25 season and appointed To the South Bay on Sunday.

By declining his option, the 6-foot-11 guard misses out on a significant chunk of guaranteed cash, but entering free agency is beneficial as he needs a fresh start elsewhere. Hood-Schifino will not get minutes. He needs to improve in the NBA in Los Angeles.

His expiring salary could also make him more attractive to trade suitors looking to offer him up.