Dennis Schröder claims he never declined a four-year, $80MM offer from the Lakers during his first stint with the club, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
“There never was a contract, never rejected anything,” said Schröder, who signed a one-year, $2.64MM contract last month. “I don’t know who brought it up, but that’s the media, you know? But at the end of the day, no contract and I’m just happy to be here. Like you said, unfinished business and we just got to take care of the stuff and win a chip [championship]. That’s, I think, the goal, and other than that, with the contract, that’s not true. “
As Dave McMenamin of ESPN notes, it’s likely a case of semantics. When L.A. broached a conversation about an extension in February 2021, Schröder’s reps said they would rather wait until the offseason to discuss a contract. In other words, the Lakers were presumably willing to put a lucrative extension offer on the table, but may not have been given the chance to formally do so.
Schröder, who wound up signing a one-year, $5.9MM deal with Boston in 2021, hopes he’ll get another contract offer from the Lakers.
“Of course, it would be great to sign a big deal and a longer-term deal, and that’s my goal still,” he said. “But the end of the day, we are here now and I’m going to do everything I can right now to just help my teammates win ballgames.”
We have more on the Lakers:
- Schröder practiced for the first time on Monday and will see a few minutes of action in Wednesday’s preseason game against Minnesota. He looks forward to fighting for minutes with Patrick Beverley, Turner writes. “I’ve played against him a couple of times. I seen today already he’s a little different, and I mean, I like it,” he said. “We all competitors, and we try to get after it.”
- Will Anthony Davis start at power forward or center? New coach Darvin Ham said that Davis playing the ‘five’ spot is a real possibility, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register tweets. As Ham put it, it’s “definitely on the table.”
- The stir caused by probable 2023 top pick Victor Wembanyama could benefit the Lakers, Goon opines. Non-contenders may be more willing to move quality veteran players. Salary matching with Russell Westbrook’s $47.1MM contract would still be a challenge but potential trade partners might be less demanding regarding Los Angeles’ 2027 and 2029 first-rounders.
Russell Westbrook’s the easiest way to get Wembanyama and now his expiring contract is looking more attractive than ever. Funny how life works out sometimes.
Exactly
Westbrook means Wemby
Few fans understand it
I am happy Reporters get it
You deal Westbrook for Wemby via a few teams
Few fans understand what??????
Nobody in the Lottery is gonna trade their pick.
These Teams are all in the Lottery. Ain’t nobody trading their pick.
San Antonio
Orlando
Utah
Detroit
Indiana
Houston
Charlotte
OKC
These teams are potential Lottery. Ain’t nobody trading nothing.
Washington
Chicago
New York
Sacramento
Portland
You don’t get it Barry.
Go through the list of “tanking” teams. Exactly which veterans do you see moving other than off of Utah’s roster???
San Antonio, Orlando, Detroit, Houston and OKC all have NOBODY to move.
Indiana (Turner, Hield). Charlotte (Hayward).
Lakers aren’t looking for picks just want good players in return so the waste land of the league can tank and not giving up our picks in the process
You dont seem to get it.
Tanking teams will now be more willing to move off of some veterans.
Charlotte might be willing to trade Hayward (2 years) and Plumlee for Westbrook, with only cash considerations? Question is whether Lakers want to give up cap space for next season though.
Tanking teams? Until half way through the season we should know which teams are the 3 worst in the NBA. So no team now would care to pick up Westbrook and trade away players. This is just wishful thinking by Laker fans.
Charlotte has ALWAYS been willing to give up 2 years of Gordon Hayward for 1 year of Westbrook.
The Lakers, and pretty much EVERY other team in the NBA, Do Not Want 2 years of Gordon Hayward.
I doubt the lakers want to take on a 2 year deal. They want to free up money for next year free agents. Irving and Green could come to lakers next season.
Schroder is a team cancer.
There is a reason why the Celtics traded him last season
Dennis Schroder is solid he’s just a very nice backup Point Guard. He’s not a starter.
He saw his minutes erode last year with the Rockets. Nobody was beating down his door to sign him.
Schroeder, Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley …… Two of these guys will at least be satisfied with their minutes. Two of these guys are going to not be very happy on the bench.
Anthony Davis should start at Power Forward. That’s the best way he’s going to stay healthy. That’s the best way you going to maximize his skill set.
Los Angeles Lakers shouldn’t worry about trading Russell Westbrook. He’s going to have a nice bounce back season. I’m not trading the 2027 or 2029 First Round Picks.
May not have to trade any picks
Westbrook’s contract sucks but unless the Lakers somehow get a tanking team’s 1st and package it with him than trading FOR Westbrook isn’t likely helping you get him, assuming whoever gets #1 isn’t trading down.
It could technically help an acquiring team by sending out useful veterans for Westbrook and giving him the wall treatment or just buying him out. Increase your lottery odds by having less talent on the floor. I still don’t see the lakers pulling that off without including a pick tho
The next wannabee tanking teams will throw away good assets to get a trash Russ just to get a chance for Vic … That’s how Pelika will save his job reputation ans maybe 2 picks
Not taking back long term contracts IS a top priority for Pelinka
Still think Akers should do a Heild and Turner deal for Russ and a first.
Then get Tristan Thompson for the vets min too
Beverly Schroder Nunn Heild JTA Bron AD Turner Thompson that’s your 9 man rotation. With good depth behind that. On their day a real championship calibre side and that’s what you need with LeBron.
Best possible deal for Lakers… i would like to see Austin Reeves traded to Indy