Lakers News: Free Agent Dennis Schröder Making Case For New Contract In Game 1

LA's reserve point guard had a prolific scoring night.

Last night, during your Los Angeles Lakers' terrific 117-112 vanquishing of the Golden State Warriors to steal home court in their ongoing best-of-seven second round playoff series, two key role players stepped up to help put points on the board: point guards D'Angelo Russell and Dennis Schröder, who each chipped in 19 points apiece.

Schröder notched his 19 points on 5-of-10 field goal shooting and 9-of-10 free throw shooting (he nailed two late free throws that ultimately iced the win for LA in the waning seconds of regulation), and also chipped in three assists, two rebounds and a steal. He turned in several clutch moments on both ends of the court, including tag-teaming Warriors All-Star point guard Stephen Curry along with his primary defender, versatile LA power forward Jarred Vanderbilt.

It was his best game this postseason, by far, since he notched 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves to help LA ice its 7-8 play-in game ahead of a first round matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times writes that Schröder is on the mend from an Achilles injury that had limited his offense during that six-game Grizz matchup, during which he played good defense but struggled to hit the broad side of a barn. In 22.1 minutes per, the 6'3" backup averaged just 4.7 points on .360/.222/1.000 shooting splits, plus 2.8 dimes. His defense against Memphis' guards kept him firmly ensconced in the Lakers' bench rotation, but his scoring touch was sorely missed at times.

If the 29-year-old vet turns in a few more performances like his output on Tuesday, Schröder, who returned to LA on a one-year veteran's minimum deal this summer, could very likely stay with the Lakers this summer. Due to his brief LA tenure, the Lakers only possess his Non-Bird Rights, which the team could use to re-sign him to 120% of the veteran's minimum in 2023-24, which would be around $3.8 million. 

“We know how he plays, especially in big moments. He plays the biggest. He’s not afraid of the moment,” LA head coach Darvin Ham raved, per Turner. “We know if he’s fouled or whatever, the play needs to be made. If it’s an open corner three, going downhill, attacking the rim, having to get fouled and having to step up to the line and hit free throws, he’s going to do all that, as well as guard. That’s exactly why he’s on our ballclub.”

Could he fetch something closer to a room or taxpayer or mid-level exception next year ($5.8 million or $7 million, respectively)? Time will tell. He's not much of a long-range shooter, which a lot of teams want, especially on their bench, but he can score in bunches closer to the basket and is a really solid defender.

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