Dennis Schroder is in the midst of a very strong campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
When the defending champs gave up a first round pick to acquire Schroder this past offseason, there was something of an understanding that he would probably be re-signed at some point.
This week, the topic of Schroder’s future with the Lakers resurfaced once more.
When asked about whether he plans to stick around when his contract expires, Schroder got very honest.
“I want to be a Laker for a long time,” he told ESPN NBA insider Dave McMenamin. “I just want it to be fair.”
The obvious question then becomes: what constitutes as fair?
When the Lakers acquired Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder, the most they could offer him was $33.4 million over the next two seasons.
Seeing as Schroder’s market value around the NBA is at least $20 million annually, clearly that wasn’t going to suffice.
Now that the Lakers are no longer bound by sign-and-extend rules, the organization can offer Schroder up to four years and $83.3 million right up until the point he hits unrestricted free agency.
Once that happens, LA can pay him up to $145 million over four years, or $195.6 million over five.
Is he worth that? Obviously not.
So far this year he is averaging 14.8 points and 4.7 assists per game, while serving as the Lakers’ best non-LeBron James and Anthony Davis player on most nights.
Davis’ reaction to the Lakers adding Schroeder in the offseason speaks for itself. Clearly he plays a vital role within the structure of the team.
But how much is that role really worth?
In case you’re wondering why Deshaun Watson’s girlfriend Jilly Anais is trending. https://t.co/sl7sHwecbN
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 19, 2021
That’s the decision that needs to be made at some point in the foreseeable future.
Between Kyle Kuzma’s recent demotion and the bad news LA got on Davis this past week, the organization could use a bit of stability. Re-signing Schroder would fit the bill.
Will it end up happening, though? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
