The Los Angeles Lakers signed guard Dennis Schroder to a 1-year deal worth $2.64 million, reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. The move sees Schroder return to the Lakers after a previous stint with the team during the 2020-21 season. The Lakers are now crowded at the PG spot, with some feeling like the signing signals that the team is working on a trade to move Russell Westbrook.
In Schroder’s last stint with the team, he averaged just under 16 points and 6 assists a game. He shot a decent 43.7 percent from the field. The Lakers planned to sign the German guard to an extension following the 2021 season, but the two parties couldn’t agree on terms. It was reported that the Lakers offered the guard $84 million, which Schroder felt was beneath his worth. Schroder’s gamble proved costly, and he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics for the mid-level exception. His stint with Boston was short-lived as the team traded him to the Houston Rockets at the deadline.
Earlier this summer, the returning Lakers guard hinted at signing with the team on Instagram. Schroder’s comments have come to fruition, and he will be reunited with both Lebron James and coach Darvin Ham. Lebron showed his excitement in welcoming the guard back on social media.
Lakers Are Now Crowded At Point Guard
With the signing of Dennis Schroder, the Lakers now have at least four players who could spend time at the lead guard position. With Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverly, Kendrick Nunn, and now Schroder, there may not be enough minutes to go around. Lebron James has also spent time as the primary ball-handler during his time with the Lakers.
As presently constructed, it is unlikely the team will want to go into the season so guard-heavy. The Lakers are lacking in wing depth, and many believe the recent signing signifies more moves before training camp starts in a week. The best bet is that the Lakers will start the season with Westbrook on the roster, but the latest signings are interesting.
Lakers Trade Rumors
The Lakers have been linked to several trades all summer. Most notably, the team tried to acquire Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn. For a moment, it looked as if Brooklyn would lose both of their stars as Kevin Durant also reportedly requested a trade. Both Irving and Durant pivoted stances and decided to rescind their requests and re-commit to the team, effectively ending the Lakers’ hopes of an Irving trade.
The Lakers have also been linked to the Pacers, targeting Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. While this trade wouldn’t address the team’s wing deficit, it would give the team some much-needed shooting and a dominant inside big man to compliment Anthony Davis. The Lakers’ reluctance to part with their two remaining picks has reportedly stalled the potential Pacers trade.
That is where the Utah Jazz comes in. The Lakers were in previous talks for a 4-team trade that would have seen the Lakers acquire Bojan Bogdanovic and Terry Rozier. The Athletic reports that the two teams are still communicating about a potential move. The new proposal would see the Lakers get Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, and Malik Beasley.
The Jazz and the Lakers have already worked together in the trade that saw Patrick Beverly sent to LA. The Jazz may be an ideal trading partner because they are in full-sale mode and have already acquired a multitude of draft picks. This move would give them more shooting and a reliable wing in Bogdanovic. As training camp rapidly approaches, all eyes will be on the Lakers’ front office.
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