The NBA Trade Deadline came and went for the Los Angeles Lakers without much fanfare.
Although the team was rumored to be a serious contender for Kyle Lowry’s services, a deal ultimately failed to materialize.
According to multiple reports, the defending champs were willing to part ways with three members of the team for Lowry.
Sadly, the Toronto Raptors wanted the one player they wouldn’t give up – Talen Horton-Tucker. As such nothing happened.
This created something of an awkward dynamic for the three guys LA was willing to move.
On Friday, one of them, Dennis Schroder, spoke out about his feelings and his desire to remain with the Lakers once he enters free agency in the offseason.
“It’s a crazy business,” he said.
“At the end of the day, I want to play the season out… I for sure want to be a Laker, but I want to see my options… I want to see my options, but I want to be a Laker. (…) It needs to be fair for both sides, and I’m going to stay with that.”
This isn’t the first time Schroder has brought up the concept of fairness as it pertains to his next Lakers deal.
The defending champs are in a tricky situation.
On one hand, they just got bad news regarding LeBron James’ recovery time. And that’s in addition to the unfortunate Anthony Davis update from last week. On the other, hamstringing the franchise by over-investing in Schroder could have massive ramifications down the line.
Deshaun Watson’s GF with the cryptic post. https://t.co/RHO5BUUm2D
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 26, 2021
One way or another, the Lakers are going to need to figure out how much they’re willing to pay Schroder. And it needs to be enough to keep him satisfied.
If a common ground isn’t reached, things could get real messy at the end of this season.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
