The Los Angeles Lakers spent the entire 2023-24 NBA season hearing how they missed the mark with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft. Jalen Hood-Schifino struggled to secure playing time, while No. 18 pick Jaime Jaquez Jr. secured All-Rookie First Team honors.
Three years later, it's as though the hands of fate were working directly against the Lakers, as three players drafted with picks that directly preceded or followed Los Angeles' selection are thriving elsewhere.
The Utah Jazz took point guard Keyonte George at No. 16 overall—just one pick prior to the Lakers' selection of Hood-Schifino at No.