Just weeks after bringing home an NBA title, the Los Angeles Lakers have something else to celebrate as they finally complete their search for help in their backcourt. Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Lakers have acquired OKC guard Dennis Schroder for Danny Green and the 28th pick in the upcoming draft.
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
The trade won’t be finalized until later this week but, by all accounts, both sides have already reached an agreement on the deal.
Lakers and Thunder won't be able to formalize the framework of deal until NBA's transaction moratorium is lifted on Monday. https://t.co/ZdS2WMvCM8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 15, 2020
Schroder isn’t the star acquisition many Lakers fans were hoping for, but his arrival, undoubtedly, makes the team better. The 27-year-old guard averaged 18.9 points and 4 assists per game last season and was a huge contributor to OKC’s Cinderella run.
Best of all for LA, they are able to get him without sacrificing their depth, as only Danny Green (who was largely inconsistent in the playoffs) was included in the deal.
As an exceptional scorer and premier ball-handler, Schroder is an ideal fit for the Purple and Gold, and only increases their chance of repeating as Champions in 2021.
In Oklahoma City, this could be a sign of things to come for the Thunder. With players like Chris Paul, Steven Adams, and Danilo Gallinari, we could see the team give up those big names for the sake of adding picks and young players. According to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Green will not start the season with the Thunder, as both teams try to expand the deal o include a third team.
