The Los Angeles Lakers almost negotiated with Dennis Schröder on Thursday.
In the minutes leading up to the deadline, Schröder was still included in a proposed package that would send him, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and a compensation draft for the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry.
The deal failed, as Toronto (intelligently) stood firm in the demand that 20-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker was involved – a step the Lakers were unwilling to take.
I examined Lowry’s non-decision and argued that the Lakers missed an opportunity to maximize the LeBron James championship window. Lowry, 35, remains a superior player on both ends, and his timeline aligns with James’ timeline. Horton-Tucker is an attractive talent, but will likely reach its potential after the King’s clock ends.
Schröder’s addition to trade negotiations was a recent event. Both the Lakers and the 28-year-old have always praised each other, and Schröder’s activity and two-way effort have been a vital engine for the Lakers.
After LA’s 109-101 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the end of a stressful day, Schröder was asked whether his feelings about the organization had changed. He reiterated his desire to stay with the Lakers … and test the unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career.
“It’s crazy,” he said after losing 20 points (6 out of 14 FG), 11 assists and three steals. “End of the day, I want to play my season. And I think, and I said that I want to see my options. I want to be a Laker, but I want to see my options. “
Dennis Schröder reaffirmed his desire to stay with the Lakers, but also his intention to test the unrestricted free agency for the first time in his 8-year career.
“I want to play my season … I want to be a Laker, but I want to see my options.”
It looks like an extension is not imminent
– michael corvo (@_michaelcorvo_) March 26, 2021
In February, I expressed mild dismay that the Lakers and Schröder have yet to reach an extension, especially after February 16, when the team managed to increase its offer. Schröder had just bought a house in Los Angeles (not that these guys can’t sell real estate easily), and both sides seemed to be involved in typical negotiating tactics with mutual interest in a long-term partnership.
Now, it looks like an extension before the summer comes out the window.
To be fair, Schröder was consistent in his message.
“I want to be part of this organization for a long time,” he said on March 19. “So, we really don’t have to worry about anything. (…) In eight years, I haven’t felt a single time when… I could sit in the summer and just see the options ”, he said. “So, we’re kind of among these: Should we just sign the extension? Or should we wait until summer? Because after all, I want to be a Laker for a long time. I always say that I want it to be fair. “
On the other hand, his effusive praise for the Lakers’ organization – from the office to the technical staff and locker room – and his repeated desire to stay in Los Angeles have allayed the main concerns. Based on his comments, it seems that the Lakers offered him the extension, which they would love for him to sign.
“From the first day, it felt like we had been together for a month or two,” said Schröder in December. “The chemistry is incredible. That is the reason why I want to be here for a long term, but as I said before, it always has to be fair for both ends. If it’s fair, then I have no problem. “
However, the Lakers’ willingness to switch to Lowry raised their eyebrows (again: the critical point was THT). Evidently, behind-the-scenes conversations have not gone well. On Thursday, The Athletic reported that the two parties remain at odds:
“Sources said the sides remain distant in the extension negotiations, with Schröder, who is earning $ 15.5 million in the last year of a four-year contract, seeking a multi-year extension that would pay him more than $ 20 million a year. This gap contributed to the Lakers’ willingness to include Schröder in trade negotiations. “
Before the free agency, the Lakers can offer Schroder a maximum extension of four years, $ 83 million, due to the limit rules. In that department, they have no room for maneuver.
“The Lakers are looking a little further,” said ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski in a recent episode of The Woj Pod. “Dennis Schroder, they have to pay him this offseason. It will cost them well over $ 20 million a year to maintain it. Alex Caruso, they will want to pay and keep you. “
(This is in stark contrast to December, when Woj reported that an extension was likely to be reached in February.)
“I was told that extension talks have started. They made an offer before the season, they can offer him more money from February 16, up to 4 years old, $ 83 million at the top of the year he left. “@wojespn about Dennis Schroder and the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/hxweCxfwqN
– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) December 26, 2020
If Schroder wants to win up to $ 20 million, he will have to wait until the summer. (For comparison, Fred VanVleet recently signed for $ 85 million, which Schröder may want to exceed.)
It seems that this is exactly what the guard intends to do.
The Lakers will also have to sign again with Alex Caruso and Horton-Tucker. Jeanie Buss said she will spend more than $ 100 million in luxury taxes while James is on board, and Bird Rights will allow them to exceed the limit to re-sign Schröder. But a maximum deal is unlikely, and the Lakers are likely to have some internal limit.
Schröder is playing hard. If the Lakers end up losing him, the decision to move to Lowry will be even more controversial.
Until then, the Lakers will need Schröder to be as engaged as ever on the court, especially without James and Davis out.
After the fourth consecutive defeat by the Lakers on Thursday, Vogel called Dennis Schröder “as vital as any player on our team”.
“He will carry most of the offensive touches and will be a creator for us more than usual.”
