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Dennis Schröder previously played for Oklahoma City Thunder
Photo:
Sue Ogrocki / dpa
Dennis Schröder chose clear words.
"I never wanted to go to the Lakers," said the German NBA professional recently to the "Magentasport" channel, when asked about an offer from last season.
Five days later, what an irony, it was now announced that Schröder will soon be doing just that: playing for the Los Angeles Lakers - whether he likes it or not.
The framework data of the deal, which is to become official shortly: Schröder, who still has one year contract with Oklahoma City Thunder, moves to the Lakers, Oklahoma receives veteran Danny Green and the 28th pick at the upcoming talent exchange.
A good, meaningful exchange, without a clear loser - and yet it remains questionable whether Schröder feels like a winner.
His favorite destination was apparently the Milwaukee Bucks, which are trained by his long-time ex-coach Mike Budenholzer.
The NBA, however, is not a league in which transfers depend on the will of the professionals.
Only a so-called no-trade clause would have given Schröder a right of veto.
But currently not a single NBA player has this addendum.
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Dennis Schröder is also the sole shareholder of Basketball Löwen Braunschweig
Photo: Jörn Wolter / wolterfoto.de / imago images / Wolter
Thus the actors are at the mercy of the decisions of their franchises, despite a very powerful players union.
The contracts of professionals remain intact, but they can be moved from employer to employer - with or without consent.
Star players are less exposed to this arbitrariness, but even for them the business can be merciless.
Just last year, a video surfaced showing former Chicago Bulls MVP Derrick Rose in tears after learning of his move to New York in 2016.
What Schröder's immediate reaction to his deal was is not known.
In the long term, however, joy could prevail - because one thing is clear: In terms of sport, things could hardly have been better for him.
The Lakers are the league's strongest team, superior 2020 NBA champion, led by LeBron James, who is - at least - the second best player in history.
Its co-star, Anthony Davis, established himself as one of the best sidekicks the NBA has ever seen.
And number three?
That should now be Schröder.
At least offensively.
The matured Schröder goes perfectly with the Lakers
The 27-year-old is an accomplished playmaker and scorer, and one of the fastest guards in the league.
In Oklahoma, he turned his long-term weaknesses, the throw from distance and defense, into strengths.
This new, mature Schröder fits perfectly with the Lakers.
Their biggest deficit last season was playmaking: apart from James, there was no reliable playmaker who could give the now 35-year-old breaks.
Davis played excellent, but the 2.11 meter tall "Big Man" is not a distributor of the ball.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel was always forced to compromise: if he let Danny Green play, he got a defense and a threesome, but no playmaking.
If he let old master Rajon Rondo play, he got playmaking, but neither defense nor threesomes (exception: Rondo's brilliant playoffs).
Perhaps the most promising candidate, Avery Bradley, was largely injured and the others played too inconsistently to be recommended as a permanent solution.
Now Schröder gets this chance.
With the Thunder, the point guard has developed excellently.
In Oklahoma, of all places, one might think, because his change in 2018 did not meet his own wish either.
With the Hawks, who drafted him in 2013, he was the star of the team.
In Oklahoma he suddenly found himself on the bench.
Schröder accepted the role change rather reluctantly, but the alleged demotion turned out to be a blessing: In the shadow of Russell Westbrook, the German improved steadily, after his departure he really got going - also thanks to Westbrook's successor Chris Paul.
The 35-year-old, one of the best point guards in history, became an important mentor for Schröder.
Increase in distance throws
As a defender, the German remembered for the first time in years the poisonous ball thief he was believed to be at the beginning of his career.
On the offensive, he developed into a popular shooter: In catch-and-shoot situations, i.e. when throws immediately after a pass, Schröder hit 41.4 percent of his three-pointers last season.
That's good for the elitist - and a huge increase compared to his last season in Atlanta.
There it was 28 percent.
Overall, Schröder had 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season.
In the election for "Sixth Man of the Year" he was named the second best bank player in the league.
Nevertheless, the Thunder gave him up.
Because at the age of 27 and over 30 minutes playing time, Schröder stands in the way of the long-planned rebuilding with young talent.
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Schröder was voted the second best bank player last season
Photo: Ross D. Franklin / AP
The Lakers, on the other hand, where several guards are about to take off, probably even want to employ Schröder for the long term.
From the bank or as a starter, unclear, but a cosmetic decision anyway.
His job would remain the same: directing the attack when LeBron James needs a break.
Hit the threesome when James serves him.
Defend the fastest guard of the opponent - and ideally the championship.
James had a team in nine of the last ten NBA Finals.
Schröder has better chances of becoming the first German champion since Dirk Nowitzki.
But there is also a problem with that: due to the delayed start of the season, the NBA playoffs will overlap with the Olympic Games qualifying tournament.
Should the Lakers reach the finals again, Schröder will be absent from the German national team in the important qualifying round.
Whether he likes it or not.
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