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“Don’t Turn Down Money You Don’t Have”: CJ McCollum Gives Brutally Honest Advise to Dennis Schroder for Rejecting Lakers

Published 08/22/2021, 12:05 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Dennis Schroder has copped constant criticism from sections of the NBA fraternity. League experts and fans, in general, tore into Schroder, following L.A’s 1st round exit against Phoenix, where Schroder was embarrassing to say the least!

Considering that the PG had declined a lucrative four-year $84-million extension mid-season, it looks like the Lakers dodged an impeding disaster! Following repeated failures in his ‘moment of truth,’ Schroder flamed out, scoring 0 in the pivotal game 5 against the Suns on the road. What followed wasn’t pretty for Dennis, as he went a full week without receiving a single offer from opposition teams in free agency.

Dennis was the focal point of LA’s game plan, as the team rode through extended patches without LeBron James and Anthony Davis last season.

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USA Today via Reuters

And while Schroder held his own while running the point and spearheading the Lakers defense without the duo, it was an unceremonious end, as he parted for Boston in free agency.

Shaquille O’Neal Takes a Dig at Dennis Schroder for Rejecting Lakers’ Previous Offer

CJ McCollum chimes in on the Dennis Schroder mess

On his podcast ‘Pull Up with CJ McCollum,’ the recently-appointed president of the Players Association addressed the Schroder dilemma. Revisiting the situation, CJ commented, “It was reported that he turned down that 4-year 84 million allegedly. We’re not sure if he did or not. But so many people are reporting it, I think there is some truth to it.”

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Elucidating over Dennis is thinking right about now heading into next season, McCollum said, “I think one of the best things about going through struggles or potentially turning down money is that you come in motivated and you also understand what’s at stake. So if he did turn down that money, he knows a lot is at stake this season. And I think his approach, his mindset and his mentality is gonna be different going into this season.”

He continued, “For me personally, I’m a fan of maximising your worth, but also understanding that certain pressures are unnecessary. You can’t control injury, you can’t control certain situations. But you can control your work ethic, your approach, being ready those things usually translate into success.”

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USA Today via Reuters

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President CJ then concluded, saying, “Maybe he felt he was worth more, he could have been greedy. For me personally, don’t turn down money you don’t have!”

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Do McCollum’s last words hold any truth in terms of probably what was an opportunity of a lifetime for Dennis Schroder?

REPORTS: Massive Rumor Killer On Dennis Schroder’s Rift With LeBron James’ Lakers

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Written by:

Nikhil Naik

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Nikhil Naik is an NBA writer at EssentialySports. Having completed his bachelor's degree in Hospitality, he has worked with the Indian Hotels Company Limited, at the Taj in Mumbai. Nikhil has been playing basketball since 2014.
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