Even though the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2019-20 NBA championship, the 17th in franchise history, it doesn’t mean general manager Rob Pelinka is complacent during the offseason and with no intentions of improving the roster.
The main focus for the Lakers in 2020 was re-signing big man Anthony Davis, who was a free agent after presumably declining his player option but has given the team every indication that he’s not finished yet...
After making these moves , Pelinka was able to focus on improving the rest of the roster, and he had some cap space as well as some trade assets to do so.
Lakers Acquire Dennis Schroder
At the end of 2020, Pelinka was in advanced talks to acquire guard Dennis Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Danny Green and the 28th pick in this year’s draft.
Lakers guard Danny Green and the No. 28 overall pick have been a focus of the trade discussions for Schroder, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/KOAcjyIked
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
The deal is not official yet but has been agreed to and presumably will be completed after the Lakers make the draft selection on behalf of the Thunder, via Shams Charania of The Athletic
Lakers and Thunder have agreement in principle on deal to send Dennis Schroder to Los Angeles, and No. 28 pick in Wednesday’s Draft to OKC, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 15, 2020
Dennis Schroder Stats
Schroder made a solid addition for the Lakers, who lacked backcourt depth in the previous season, especially guards that can score as well as create shots for others.
The 27-year-old is entering the final year of a four-year, $70 million contract, so he will make a little more than the $15 million Green is making in 2020-21 before hitting free agency.
Dennis Schroder’s stats with the Thunder were impressive, averaging 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. He was one of the three finalists for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award.
When he made his Lakers debut, he put up 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Green was a huge part of the Lakers’ championship season, starting in every game they played. His shooting was inconsistent in the postseason though, which has led to his tenure with the team lasting just one year after signing a two-year, $30 million deal last offseason.
Dennis Schroder Contract: Where is He Now?
Schroder ended up rejecting the Lakers’ contract extension to become a free agent. He turned down a reported four-year, $84 million contract.
“The Lakers told us we’re not talking [about the extension] during the season, and, at the end of the day, I never had that contract in front of me,” Schroder told Yahoo Sports. “That’s one thing. But they wanted to talk, and at the end of the day, me and my agent decided not to sign that contract.”
Schroder went on to sign a one-year $5.9 million mid-level exception contract with the Boston Celtics. As of February 10, 2022, he was traded to the Houston Rockets for Daniel Theis.
Lakers were already reported to have interest in Schroder
This trade does not come as a huge surprise for the Lakers after it was recently reported that they had interest in acquiring Schroder. They also had reported interest in him at last year’s trade deadline but were unable to complete a deal.
It was also reported that Schroder had no interest in playing for the Lakers, although once a deal is completed, it is hard to imagine him not wanting to play alongside LeBron James and Davis for the defending NBA Champions. Since the Lakers have already traded their first-round pick next year, this trade cannot officially be completed until after this year’s draft.
With Green no longer in the mix though, the Lakers will likely now shift their focus to acquiring a wing defender to replace him.
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