3 reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers should sign Lonzo Ball this summer
By Jason Reed
1. Dennis Schroder is not playing his way into an extension with the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have already engaged in extension talks with Dennis Schroder and reportedly offered Schroder a two-year, $33.4 million contract that Schroder rejected. The main reason hy Schroder rejected that offer is likely because he can make more if he waits.
Schroder can sign a larger extension with the Lakers after February 16. After that date, Schroder can sign up to a four-year, $83 million extension — makes sense to hold out for two more years and $50 million more.
That does not mean that the Lakers will offer that high of an extension, and quite frankly, Schroder might be playing his way out of an extension. While I am a big Schroder guy as well and have defended his play thus far, he has not been worth a big extension.
His efficiency has went down with the Lakers and his defense has not been spectacular. He has had some great flashes in some games this season but he has not nearly been as consistent as the Lakers were hoping.
Schroder has looked more like the Atlanta version of himself than the Oklahoma City version of himself. The OKC version of Schroder was the best version and was far more efficient.
It would not be shocking if the Los Angeles Lakers do not offer Schroder the kind of contract that he wants and he instead opts to test free agency and probably get a larger contract from a lesser team who has money burning in its pocket — like the Detroit Pistons this past offseason.
And if Schroder leaves LA the team is obviously going to need a replacement.