USA Today via Reuters
Mar 23, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) brings the ball up court against New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 23, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) brings the ball up court against New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers failed during the NBA’s trade deadline last night. They were linked with a move for Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry but failed to pull off a deal. The Lakers reportedly offered Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but that wasn’t enough for the Raptors.
Later, Schroder spoke about how it felt when he learned about these reports. He said, “It’s a crazy business. At the end of the day, I want to play the season out… I for sure want to be a Laker, but I want to see my options… I want to see my options, but I want to be a Laker… It needs to be fair for both sides, and I’m going to stay with that.”
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More from Dennis, who says this is the last stuff he's going to say on it.
"It needs to be fair for both sides, and I'm going to stay with that."
— Buyout Market Faigen (@hmfaigen) March 26, 2021
Earlier he was very keen on staying with the 2020 NBA champions. While he is still on board right now, it looks like he is now more open to viewing the best options before he commits to the Lakers. He admits that he still wants to stay, but it isn’t surprising he wants to do what’s best for him since the team was ready to trade him after less than a season into his tenure with them.
Will these trade reports affect Dennis Schroder’s performance for the Lakers?
Being included in trade talks without knowing about it is something no player would like. So naturally, Schroder would have been upset to find about the Lakers‘ reports.
However, Schroder cannot let this get to his head for two reasons. The first one is the most important one to him as a player, and it will be to maximize his value. The German is a free agent this summer and is going to test the market. In order to do that, he needs to prove he is worth a big contract. So he needs to play his best basketball to ensure the best possible payday.
The second reason is to help the team. Although the team was close to trading him away, he is still here now and will be for the rest of the season. If he helps the Lakers stay afloat in the top six, at least in the West, it will be a huge help since LeBron James and Anthony Davis are out with injury.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 13, 2021; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) high fives guard Dennis Schroder (17) and center Marc Gasol (14) during a time out against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
He also has a good chance to get his first ring with the Lakers. If he puts in his best, it will only help the Lakers fight for the title. So despite these reports, the German is likely to do his best for the team.
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