Dennis Schröder is back with the Los Angeles Lakers. At his presentation, the German explained that, contrary to numerous media reports, there had been no contract offer in 2021. Schröder also spoke regarding his role in his new, old team.
Brian Windhorst (ESPN) reported at the time that the Lakers had offered Schröder a four-year, $84 million extension in spring 2021. Schröder has now cleared it up: “There was no contract, I didn’t turn anything down. That was a false report,” said the German at his presentation in El Segundo.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN In a way, Schröder is not wrong. According to his sources, the Lakers wanted to negotiate a new contract in February 2021, but Schröder’s camp preferred to wait for the summer. The Braunschweig native later joined the Boston Celtics and has now returned to the Lakers for a year and $2.64 million.
In 2021, the Lakers failed in the first playoff round at the Phoenix Suns, which should be done better this time, so Schröder spoke of “unfinished business”. That was also a reason why he only signed for the minimum in Los Angeles.
Dennis Schröder wants to set things straight
“It was all a bit strange back then. That’s why I said, ‘I’m even playing here for free’ to set things straight. (…) Of course it would have been great if I had signed a big deal in the long term and it still is my goal. At the end of the day I can’t change it and I’ll give everything to help my teammates and win games.”
With head coach Darvin Ham, the 29-year-old meets another old acquaintance. Ham was already an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks in 2013 when Schröder was drafted. “The most important people are still here and there is also a coaching staff that I have known for nine years. I felt very comfortable here today,” said Schröder. “We still have to work on the chemistry a bit, I’ve never played with a couple of guys. But that’s my job as a point guard, to bring everyone together.”
Schröder played 61 games for the Lakers in 2020/21, averaging 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Schröder sank 43.1 percent of his throws and 33.5 percent from a distance.
Dennis Schröder: His statistics in the NBA
| Team | games | Points | FG (percent) | 3FG (percent) | Assists | Rebounds |
| Hawks | 362 | 12,9 | 43,4 | 32 | 4,8 | 2,5 |
| Thunder | 144 | 17 | 44 | 36,1 | 4,1 | 3,6 |
| Lakers | 61 | 15,4 | 43,7 | 33,5 | 5,8 | 3,5 |
| Celtics | 49 | 14,4 | 44 | 34,9 | 4,2 | 3,3 |
| Rockets | 15 | 10,9 | 39,3 | 32,8 | 5,9 | 3,3 |
