The Los Angeles Lakers nearly traded 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 draft compensation to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry.
The deal fell through, as Toronto (smartly) held firm on the demand that 20-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker be involved — a step the Lakers were unwilling to take.
I examined the Lowry non-decision and argued that the Lakers missed an opportunity to maximize LeBron James' championship window. The 35-year-old Lowry remains a superior player on both ends, and his timeline aligns with James' timeline. Horton-Tucker is an enticing talent, but he'll likely reach his potential after The King's watch has ended.
The addition of Schröder into trade talks was a recent development. Both the Lakers and the 28-year-old have consistently sung each other's praises, and Schröder's two-way activity and effort have been a vital engine for the Lakers.
Following L.A.'s 109-101 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the end of a nerve-racking day, Schröder was asked if his feelings toward the organization had changed. He reiterated his desire to stay with the Lakers … and to test unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career.
“It’s a crazy business,” he said after dropping 20 points (6-of-14 FG), 11 assists, and three steals. “End of the day, I wanna play my season out. And I think, and I said I want to see my options. I want to be a Laker, but I want to see my options.”
Dennis Schröder re-stated his desire to stay with the Lakers but also his intention to test unrestricted free agency for the 1st time in his 8-year career.
"I wanna play my season out…I want to be a Laker, but I want to see my options."
Sounds like an extension isn't imminent
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) March 26, 2021
In February, I expressed mild dismay that the Lakers and Schröder had yet to reach an extension, especially after Feb. 16, when the team could up its offer. Schröder had just purchased a home in Los Angeles (not that these guys can't easily flip real estate), and both sides seemed to be engaging in typical negotiation tactics with a mutual interest in a long-term partnership.
Now, it sounds like an extension before the summer is out the window.
To be fair, Schröder has been consistent in his message.
“I want to be a part of this organization for a long time,” he said back on March 19. “So, we really don’t have to worry about anything. … In eight years, I didn’t feel one time where I … can sit down in the summer and just see the options,” he said. “So, we’re kind of, between these: Should we just sign the extension? Or should we wait until the summer? Because at the end of the day, I want to be a Laker for a long time. I always say I want it to be fair.”
On the other hand, his effusive praise for the Lakers organization — from the front office to the coaching staff and locker room — and his repeated desire to stay in L.A. dispelled major concerns. Based on his comments, it sounds like the Lakers have offered him the extension, which they would love for him to sign.
“From the first day, it felt like we have been together for like a month or two,” Schröder said in December. “The chemistry is amazing. That’s the reason why I think I want to be here long term, but like I said before, it’s always got to be fair on both ends. If it’s fair, then I ain’t got no problem.”
However, the Lakers' willingness to swap him for Lowry raised eyebrows (again: the sticking point was THT). Evidently, the behind-the-scenes conversations have not gone smoothly. On Thursday, The Athletic reported that the two parties remain at odds:
“Sources said the sides remain far apart in extension negotiations, with Schröder, who is making $15.5 million in the final year of a four-year contract, seeking a multi-year extension that would pay him more than $20 million per year. That gap contributed to the Lakers’ willingness to include Schröder in trade talks.”
Before free agency, the Lakers can offer Schroder a maximum extension of four-year, $83 million, due to cap rules. In that department, they have no wiggle room.
“The Lakers are looking a little bit down the road,” ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on a recent episode of The Woj Pod. “Dennis Schroder, they’ve got to pay him this offseason. It’s going to cost them well over $20 million a year to keep him. Alex Caruso, they’re going to want to pay and keep him.”
(It's a stark contrast from December, when Woj reported that an extension would likely be reached by February.)
“I'm told that they've already started extension talks. They made him an offer prior to the season, they can offer him more money starting February 16th, as much as 4 years, $83 million on top of the year he has left.”@wojespn on Dennis Schroder and the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/hxweCxfwqN
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) December 26, 2020
If Schroder wants to earn up to $20 million, he'll have to wait until the summer. (For comparison's sake, Fred VanVleet recently signed for $85 million, which Schröder may want to exceed.)
By the sound of it, that's exactly what the guard intends on doing.
The Lakers have to re-sign Alex Caruso and Horton-Tucker, too. Jeanie Buss has said they'll spend the $100 million+ in luxury tax money while James is on board, and Bird Rights will allow them to exceed the cap to re-sign Schröder. But a max deal is unlikely, and the Lakers likely have some internal limit.
Schröder is playing hardball. If the Lakers end up losing him, it'll make the decision to pass on Lowry all the more controversial.
Until then, the Lakers will need Schröder to be as engaged as ever on the court, especially without James and Davis out.
Following the Lakers' fourth loss in a row on Thursday, Vogel called Dennis Schröder “as vital as any player on our team.”
“He’s gonna carry the lion’s share of offensive touches and he’s gonna be a creator for us more than usual.”
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