Dennis Schroder has seen his stock fall in the league faster than many players. In 2020, Schroder was coming off one of his best seasons in the NBA with the underdog Oklahoma City Thunder. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired him and offered him an extension for four years worth over $80 million, which he denies he ever got. The reports at the time suggested that Schroder declined so he could get a better contract as an unrestricted free agent.
Things didn’t quite go according to that plan, and his production fell off noticeably, which meant he wasn’t offered a deal even close to the one the Lakers supposedly offered. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis also instrumental in the Lakers acquiring Russell Westbrook, Schroder left and joined the Boston Celtics on a one-year deal. He was traded to the Houston Rockets, and a shoulder injury meant he couldn’t play, leaving him currently without a team.
He is working quite hard during the offseason, though, and he uploaded a video to his Instagram of himself juggling during what seems to be practice. This warranted a comment from none other than his former teammate, LeBron James, with Schroder immediately shooting his shot in the replies.
LeBron James: “Tuff!! “
Dennis Schroder: “@kingjames might gotta run it back ?!”
Technically, it would be possible for the Lakers to get Schroder on a cheap deal, but nothing of the sort has been mentioned. His last stint with the team didn’t inspire confidence either, so it’s doubtful that LeBron James would be open to bringing him back to the team.
Stranger things have happened, but the fact that Schroder’s play has become very inefficient likely doesn’t help. The Lakers need shooters, and Schroder’s 43% field goal percentage and 34% three-point percentage since he left the Thunder are likely the reason he hasn’t found a team to give him a deal just yet.
