Why Did Dennis Schroder Leave The Lakers? Unpacking The Contract Saga
The question of why Dennis Schroder left the Los Angeles Lakers has, in a way, been a hot topic for quite some time. Fans and basketball watchers, they often wonder about the decisions that star players make, especially when it comes to big money and team changes. It's a situation that, you know, really caught a lot of people by surprise when it all happened. There was, apparently, a lot going on behind the scenes that shaped his departure from the team he had, in fact, played for during a previous stretch.
Dennis Schroder, a guard with a lot of skill, found himself in a rather interesting spot with the Lakers. He had, as a matter of fact, been seen as a pretty underrated signing during one of his stints with them. People were, in some respects, quite happy with what he brought to the court. His time with the team involved some significant moments, and it really seemed like things were, you know, perhaps going in a certain direction.
So, the story of his departure involves a mix of contract offers, player ambitions, and a bit of a differing narrative about what actually took place. It’s a situation that, honestly, sheds some light on the business side of professional basketball. Understanding the various parts of this story helps us, I mean, grasp why he ended up moving on from Los Angeles.
Table of Contents
- Dennis Schroder: A Brief Look
- How Schroder Joined the Lakers
- The Contract Offers and the Agent's Advice
- Schroder's Perspective on the Lakers Deal
- The Move to the Boston Celtics
- Impact of His Departure on the Lakers
- Frequently Asked Questions
Dennis Schroder: A Brief Look
Dennis Schroder is, quite simply, a well-known name in the world of basketball. He is, you know, a German professional basketball player. His journey in the NBA has seen him play for several teams, bringing his quickness and scoring touch to each one. Fans, they often recognize him for his distinctive hair and his energetic play style, which, in a way, really stands out.
He is, actually, a point guard, a position that requires a lot of court vision and ball-handling skill. His career has had its ups and downs, but he has, by the way, always remained a competitor. People who follow the sport know his name, and they typically have an opinion on his play. He has, in fact, made a significant mark on the game over the years.
Personal Details and Bio Data
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Dennis Mike Schroder |
Nationality | German |
Position | Point Guard |
Birth Date | September 15, 1993 |
Birthplace | Braunschweig, Germany |
NBA Draft | 2013, Round 1, Pick 17 |
Teams Played For (Notable) | Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors |
How Schroder Joined the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers, they made a move to bring Dennis Schroder into their team, which was, in fact, a notable event. This happened, you know, around the 2020 NBA Draft. The Lakers, they were pretty quiet on that specific draft night, but they did, apparently, finalize a trade. It was a deal that involved the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The trade, in some respects, brought Schroder to Los Angeles. The Lakers, as a part of this deal, selected Jaden McDaniels with the 28th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. This pick was, in a way, for the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the package to get Schroder. So, the acquisition of Dennis Schroder was, you know, a clear strategic move for the Lakers at that time.
They, reportedly, acquired him for a couple of reasons, though the exact details of those reasons are not, like, openly stated in the provided information. Nevertheless, his arrival was, you know, seen as a way to boost the team's capabilities. He had, in fact, played for them before, so there was some familiarity with his game and what he could bring to the squad.
The Contract Offers and the Agent's Advice
This is, arguably, where the story of Dennis Schroder's departure gets really interesting. Reports, they circulated about a very significant contract offer from the Lakers. It was, apparently, an $84 million deal. This was, you know, a large sum of money for any player. The idea was that he, in some respects, passed up this substantial contract.
There was, also, another reported offer from the Lakers, which was a bit different. This offer was, apparently, for $30 million over two years. It was, you know, a solid offer as well, but not quite the same as the $84 million figure that was, like, widely discussed. So, there were, in fact, different numbers floating around concerning what the Lakers put on the table.
According to what has been said, Dennis Schroder's agent played a role in these discussions. His agent, apparently, told him to reject the $30 million, two-year deal. The thinking behind this advice was, you know, in hopes of something bigger. The agent, it seems, believed that a good playoff run could lead to a larger and longer deal for Schroder. This kind of advice is, you know, pretty typical in the world of player negotiations, where agents often try to maximize their client's earning potential based on performance.
The belief was, therefore, that if Schroder performed well during the playoffs, his market value would, like, increase even more. This strategy, in a way, relies on a player's performance at a crucial time. It’s a gamble, to be honest, because injuries or poor play could, you know, affect the outcome negatively. But the hope was, clearly, for a more lucrative agreement down the line.
Schroder's Perspective on the Lakers Deal
What makes this situation particularly intriguing is Dennis Schroder's own statement about the contract talks. He, apparently, said something that seemed to contradict some of the widely reported narratives. Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, he, in fact, stated that he never rejected a contract extension from L.A. This is, you know, a very important point in the whole discussion.
This statement from Schroder himself adds, in a way, a layer of complexity to the story. If he never rejected an extension, then the public perception of him turning down a massive $84 million deal might be, you know, missing some context. It suggests that perhaps the terms were not, like, fully agreed upon, or that the situation was more nuanced than a simple rejection. It's almost as if there were different understandings of what happened.
However, despite his statement about not rejecting an extension, there is also information indicating that Dennis Schroder himself explained why he turned down an $84 million USD deal with the Lakers. This, honestly, creates a bit of a puzzle. How can he say he never rejected it, yet also explain why he turned it down? It could be, you know, a matter of semantics, or perhaps the timing of different offers and discussions. This duality of statements makes the situation, you know, a bit harder to completely understand for those looking in from the outside.
His explanation for turning down the larger deal, if indeed he did, would likely center on his perceived value or his desire for a certain role. Players, they often look for more than just money; they also want, you know, a good fit and a chance to win. So, his side of the story, as he tells it, is a key piece in understanding the full picture of his departure from the Lakers. It’s a situation where, you know, different accounts exist, and it’s important to consider them all.
The Move to the Boston Celtics
After the contract discussions with the Lakers, Dennis Schroder made a move that, you know, really surprised many people. He signed a contract with the Boston Celtics. The terms of this deal were, in fact, quite different from the large figures that had been discussed with the Lakers. He signed, apparently, a $5 million contract with the Celtics. Later, the exact figure was reported as a $5.9 million USD deal.
This decision to sign for a significantly smaller amount, especially after reportedly passing up an $84 million offer, was, you know, a major talking point. It showed that his strategy, or perhaps his agent's strategy, did not, like, play out as hoped in terms of getting a larger and longer deal immediately after the playoffs. This kind of outcome is, you know, a risk that players and their agents take when they bet on themselves.
The move to the Celtics meant a new chapter for Schroder. It was, in a way, a chance for him to reset and prove his worth on a different team. The contract, while much smaller, still gave him a place to play and contribute. It also, you know, provided an opportunity to rebuild his market value for future free agency periods. So, while the initial financial outcome might have been disappointing, it was, in fact, a path forward for his career.
This signing with the Celtics, it pretty much confirmed his departure from the Lakers. It showed that the two sides could not, you know, reach an agreement that worked for both. The Celtics, in a way, got a skilled player for a relatively low price, which was, you know, a good piece of business for them at the time. It highlights how, you know, things can change quickly in the NBA.
Impact of His Departure on the Lakers
Dennis Schroder's departure from the Lakers had, in a way, a clear impact on the team. His presence on the court had been, apparently, quite significant. He was, in fact, a driving force behind an offense that, you know, exceeded expectations during his time there. His ability to create shots and run the offense was, like, a valuable asset for the team.
So, losing a player who contributed so much to the offensive flow was, you know, certainly going to hurt them on the floor. The team's offensive rhythm and scoring options were, in some respects, affected by his absence. It's a situation where, you know, a player's individual talent truly makes a difference to the team's overall performance. His departure meant the Lakers had to, like, adjust their plans and find other ways to generate offense.
The Lakers, they may have considered other players, like Gabe Vincent, around that time. There were, apparently, initial reports about whether the Lakers prioritized Gabe Vincent over Dennis Schroder. However, it was later suggested that the Lakers may not have, in fact, prioritized Vincent over Schroder as initially thought. This shows that the team was, you know, evaluating different options for their guard position.
Ultimately, the decision for Schroder to move on, whether it was his choice or a mutual parting, meant the Lakers had to, you know, fill a void. It's a common occurrence in professional sports, where roster changes can, in a way, shift a team's dynamics quite a bit. The impact of losing a player like Schroder is, you know, something that teams always have to consider and try to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Dennis Schroder really turn down $84 million from the Lakers?
Reports, they did, in fact, indicate that Dennis Schroder passed up an $84 million contract offer from the Lakers. However, Dennis Schroder himself, he later stated that he never rejected a contract extension from L.A. So, there are, you know, differing accounts on this specific point, which makes the full story, in a way, a bit more complex than a simple yes or no.
Why did Dennis Schroder sign with the Celtics for less money?
Dennis Schroder signed a $5 million (later reported as $5.9 million USD) contract with the Boston Celtics after leaving the Lakers. This happened, apparently, after his agent advised him to reject a $30 million, two-year deal from the Lakers. The hope was, you know, that a good playoff run would lead to a larger and longer deal. When that didn't materialize, he signed with the Celtics for a smaller amount, in a way, to continue playing and rebuild his market value.
How did the Lakers acquire Dennis Schroder originally?
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Dennis Schroder through a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This trade was finalized, you know, around the 2020 NBA Draft. As part of the deal, the Lakers selected Jaden McDaniels with the 28th pick in that draft, and that pick was, in fact, for the Thunder as part of the trade package to bring Schroder to Los Angeles.
For more insights into player movements and team strategies, you can learn more about basketball team dynamics on our site. We also have more content on player contract negotiations that you might find interesting. These topics, you know, often go hand in hand with understanding player decisions.

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