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Lakers: 3 most important players while LeBron James and Anthony Davis are out

By Najee Adams

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shake hands prior to a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on January 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shake hands prior to a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on January 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Most important Lakers: 1. Dennis Schroder

When the Lakers traded for Dennis Schroder during the offseason, Laker Nation rejoiced.

Over the course of the entire postseason, we had to hear some iteration of “Sure, the Lakers have the best two players in the series, but *insert team that Lakers beat* has players 3-7”.

Well, now the team had a truly reliable third option coming fresh off of a Sixth Man of the Year award and ready to bring some more hardware to Los Angeles.

The thing is, when you’re the third-best option on a team and the first two aren’t able to play anymore… you become the best option.

That’s where Schroder has sort of struggled recently. In the absence of James and Davis, he’s been thrust into the spotlight as not only the lead ball-handler but the primary scoring option as well.

Over the past nine games without James, Dennis the Menace is averaging 16.2 points, 8.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 40.5% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. While the 3-point percentage is encouraging, he’s only attempting 1.3 triples per game.

What concerns me is the field goal percentage as a majority of Schroder’s shots come from either mid-range pull-ups or point-blank layups. Schroder is most certainly facing more defensive pressure now and he’s feeling the effects.

He went from being the sixth man on a team with Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to being the third option on a team with James and Davis and now he’s being asked to run the offense without them.

There will undoubtedly be a transitional period for Schroder as he figures things out and that’s exactly what he’s going through right now. Not only is he being asked to run the show on the offensive end, but most times he’s guarding the opposing team’s best backcourt option.

His defense has been stellar this year and even in the nine games without James, he’s averaging 2.0 steals. Hopefully, as he continues to ball out on that side of the floor, more of that momentum transfers into the offensive end.

Keep in mind that Schroder is looking to get paid this offseason and according to reports, he wants more than $21 million per year from the Lakers. In order to warrant that kind of money, he’s going to have to earn it.

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If he can prove to not only Laker Nation, but the front office as well that he’s capable of being a key factor in winning crucial games for a championship-caliber team then he shouldn’t have any problems cashing out this offseason.

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