Former Lakers Trade Target Shines in Debut With New Team

Los Angeles missed their chance to add to their roster.

The Los Angeles Lakers trade deadline was one of great disappointment, even if the team may have been better off not making any moves. Los Angeles was expected to be active in improving the team, but they felt that standing pat was better than making a bad trade.

You can't blame the front office for the thought, and now the team will move forward with the guys in the locker room. Los Angeles did agree to terms on the buyout market with guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who should add more scoring to this team.

However, it can be hard not to look around the league at the players who did get traded. Los Angeles had been rumored to be interested in a reunion with point guard Dennis Schroder, but he was ultimately traded to the Brooklyn Nets, ironically for Dinwiddie.

In his debut with the Nets, Schroder played his heart out for his new team. He dropped 15 points, 12 assists and two rebounds to help the Nets grab the win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Dennis Schroder in his Nets debut:

15 Points
12 Assists
2 Rebounds
3/5 3PM
26 Minutes pic.twitter.com/MQ8XkUdsvC

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 11, 2024

Schroder would have given the Lakers another play-making guard on the team who knows the system. He spent last season in Los Angeles and came up big in crucial moments for the squad.

He should help the Nets greatly down the stretch of the season, and Brooklyn will benefit from having him. Schroder is a solid leader and always brings energy when he's on the court. 

Another Schroder return to the team wasn't in the cards, but the Lakers feel good about where they are. Dinwiddie should be making his debut next week, and the team is excited about how they can finish this season.