Why Haven't The Lakers Signed Maxwell Lewis, Jalen Hood-Schifino Yet?
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Your Los Angeles Lakers selected two promising rookie wings in this year's swingman-loaded NBA draft.
Shooting guard Jalen Hood-Schifino of Indiana University was picked with the No. 17 selection, while LA traded up to acquire the services of ex-Pepperdine University small forward Maxwell Lewis.
At this point in the summer, a lot of NBA clubs have already inked their fresh draftees to their rookie scale deals. Most teams sign their first round selections to deals worth 120% of their standard rookie salaries, the most allowable under the CBA.
Per Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors, Hood-Schifino's salary, assuming he receives that 120% bump, is pegged to be $3,695,040. While the first two years of his contract are fully guaranteed, Los Angeles has team options on the third and fourth seasons of his salary. His agent at CAA, Austin Brown, is probably in the midst of negotiating his deal as we speak.
When it comes to Lewis, things are a bit more unclear. Assuming Hood-Schifino signs on with the team, he'd be their 12th rostered player heading into the 2023-24 season. The team is reportedly hoping to field 14 players at the beginning of the year, which will give them a bit more flexibility in trades than a full 15-man roster. The team is reportedly still hoping to add a center, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Given LA's cap situation, the new piece would need to be added via a veteran's minimum deal.
There is a world where Los Angeles could sign Lewis, as a second round pick, to a two-way deal. The team still has one slot available next to ex-Florida center Colin Castleton and former Missouri guard D’Moi Hodge. 2022-23 two-way players Cole Swider and Scotty Pippen Jr., both also on the club's Summer League roster this year, could also be competing for that third two-way slot.
To my thinking, I believe Lewis will probably be added to the team's standard roster outright, and will skip a two-way contract. Here's hoping he can contribute right away for a contender that will take all the cost-effective help it can get!
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