Veteran point guard Dennis Schröder, currently playing for the German national team in EuroBasket action, is the only unrestricted free agent left on our list of the top 50 NBA free agents of 2022.
It’s hard to believe we’re only a year-and-a-half removed from Schröder reportedly turning down an extension from the Lakers worth $80MM+. Last summer he had to settle for a one-year, $5.9MM deal with the Celtics, who eventually traded him to the Rockets in February.
In 64 games (28.7 MPG) split between Boston and Houston during the 2021/22 season, Schröder averaged 13.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 4.6 APG on .431/.344/.853 shooting — solid production. Still, when a team trades you away in the middle of an extended hot streak and goes on to make the NBA Finals, that raises some red flags.
Schröder, who turns 29 next week, remains a talented scorer and is a plus ball-handler who can set up both himself and teammates. His ability to create shots is a valuable skill. And it’s not as though he’s past his peak physically — he’s still one of the quickest players in the league.
He’s not without flaws, however, as he’s an inconsistent outside shooter whose defensive effort often fluctuates. He also skews a little on the selfish side, preferring to look for his own shot, even though he’s a good passer when he’s so inclined.
More than two months into free agency, there aren’t many teams with roster openings, so the odds of Schröder landing a deal for more than the veteran’s minimum seem remote. Having said that, I’d be shocked if he doesn’t find a team before training camps start later this month.
Things have been pretty quiet on the rumors front. Marc Stein reported that the Lakers were giving “legit consideration” to signing Schröder a couple of weeks ago, but then they traded for Patrick Beverley, making a reunion more uncertain. A couple of high-ranking Mavericks executives recently watched Schröder compete, and Stein subsequently wrote the Mavs have considered adding a veteran ball-handler, but Dallas might not want to carry a 15th roster spot right away due to the luxury tax. All the other rumors about Schröder are months old.
Even though they haven’t been linked in any way that I’m aware of, the Hornets might make the most sense as a potential match. They only have 13 players on guaranteed deals and don’t have a backup point guard behind LaMelo Ball at the moment.
The Suns and Hawks could also be a fit. Both teams only have 13 players on guaranteed deals. Phoenix has Chris Paul and Cameron Payne at the point, but Paul is one of the oldest players in the league and Payne is coming off a down season. Schröder spent his first five seasons with the Hawks, but they already have Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and Aaron Holiday, so minutes might be harder to come by there.
With training camps less than three weeks away, we should learn pretty soon where Schröder will be headed — assuming he finds a team. In the meantime, we want to know what you think. Which team will sign Schröder in the coming weeks?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your two cents!
He’s not gonna be a maverick, i’m sure of it
I would absolutely LOVE to see this guy come back to the A. When he was a backup to Teague (& later CPaul in OKC) he was 1 of the very best bench guards in the league. Same would be true if he came back to the Hawks. Toronto is just a much better fit tho. They have a bigger need & his style fits Toronto better.
Bad defense is not a good fit in TO
He’s not a bad defender. Not a great defender but his long arms can be extremely pesky to opponents. His lack of strength is a negative & his effort can be less than ideal at times but overall he’s basically average as a defensive pg. Toronto badly needed a serviceable backup pg last season & haven’t added 1 yet this summer so adding 1 of the top backup pgs in the league would def be a positive for them, esp for cheap
Mavs and Raptors are the best fits. Schröder is more of a scorer than a passer, and he does his best work attacking the basket rather than trying for jumpers. He’ll fit the Mavs in a similar way to Jalen Brunson (though not as good). Raptors really just need a sixth man or bench guard who can pass; Schröder has nearly double the assist percentage that Dalano Banton does. And Malachi Flynn just isn’t good.
I also think Schröder will play better on a good team. He was awful with the Rockets, but his on/off metrics with Boston weren’t awful. He just didn’t fit the team at all.
He wasn’t bad at all in boston, as you said it was just an awkward fit.
Surprised he hasn’t found a spot yet.
He’s so talented and it’s not like he has a huge personality which could be a bad thing there really isn’t any obvious negativity surrounding him.
Potential fits, Lakers, Raptors, Atlanta, Hornets, TWolves, Bucks, Mavs and more.
Would love to see him return back to Atlanta. He was excellent for them off the bench a few years back. Perfect to back up Trae and Dejounte as he can be a go to scorer, can play defence and probably play alongside either guard.
As Sankara says he would be a great fit for the raptors. Nick Nurse is a solid coach too and if Schroder can lock in more defensively he would be a great fit for them. FVV Gary Trent OG Barnes Siakim Precious Schroder Porter Thad Young that would be your top 9 but you even have good depth behind that Banton Flynn Jackson Hernagomez Kokolo etc
Also think the Twolves would be a good fit. Really not a fan of that McLaughlin guy they have as their back up 1. McLaughlin every year has gotten less and less minutes and hasn’t improved at all. He is a poor outside shooter 31% last season.
Schroder would offer defence like Pat Bev last season, but a better scoring option coming off the bench and I think would really really push Dlo for the starting spot. He’s a good shooter, good scorer, can create for others and can lock in on defence.
Dont sleep on JMac. Hes gonna be 1 of the better backup pgs in the league this season. He outplayed D’Lo in the playoffs & now that hes finally gonna get the mins that he earned yrs ago he’s gonna help Minny win a bunch of gms. Very similar to his former teammate, Tyus Jones… link to m.youtube.com
Nah really can’t see it. Had a good rookie season and in the past 2 seasons has gotten worse and worse. Can’t shoot the 3, FT% is meh, undersized, just don’t see it.
Had a good playoff series but that was only 5 games, 4 loses and he averaged 16 minutes per game. Can’t see him doing anything.
He def hasn’t gotten worse lol. That never happens unless a guy gets injured or something. He just hasn’t gotten pt bc they brought in Pat Beverley last season & Rubio the previous year. All he needed was opportunity & he got it during the playoffs & we saw how that went. He was great, even better than their starter. He can def shoot the 3 lol I literally just showed u tape of him burying 4 treys in a huge playoff game. The boy can definitely play & has shown this whenever he’s been given a chance. Just watch him this season. He’s a pure pg, not much flash but he’s def gonna help Minnesota win games this season
Him turning down the extension from the Lakers shows how big his ego is. I’m assuming he was not that great of a teammate either, otherwise he would be signed by now.
He turned that down tho cause he he though he would get better offers come the end of the season and was under the guidance of his manager.
He was a solid sixth man of the year candidate multiple times, moved to the lakers to play with Bron and AD as a starter and thought if we won a chip and played well again we could be looking at 25mil+. Lakers had won the title the year before and looked good on paper but then ofocurse the year went poorly and he didn’t have the season as expected and the offers didn’t come. Then he ended up on the Celtics after being the laughing stock of the NBA and played well but that was an awkward fit and now it’s out him in a poor position.
You watch if we was to sign with say the hawks and return to Atalanta, he would be one of the best bench players again, a fan favourite, the hawks most likely make the playoff and have a good run and he would fix his reputation
New York is gonna sign him like they did Kemba. Bet
The answer is: If given a choice, he will make the wrong choice.
Alba Berlin could use an upgrade at PG.
I mean, why not? He would make more in Europe most likely.
I looked it up and Schroeder had made 75M so far, why not go home and hoop and make 10-20M more?
He will reunite with coach bud as a backup PG/SG in Milwaukee
Spurs 2/20, 2nd year partially guaranteed and he’s traded at the deadline.