Lakers: Why Dennis Schroder should be removed from starting 5

By Jason Reed | May 10, 2021

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 26: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball up the court against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center on April 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Dennis Schroder is better off getting more time without LeBron James

Dennis Schroder is naturally going to overlap with LeBron James in the NBA Playoffs, even if he moves to the bench. As long as LeBron can get healthy, which is not a given at this point, he will be playing 35-40 minutes in each playoff game.

Schroder is still going to get ample playing time off the bench, but it will benefit him and the team more if he can be on the court every time that LeBron James is off the court.

There is a reason why Schroder was one of the only positives for the Lakers while LeBron was injured and that is because Schroder is at his best when his usage rate is high and he can dictate the offense. Typically, if Schroder has a usage rate in the 30s then you likely aren’t looking at a good basketball team.

However, when used off the bench as a second-unit playmaker, it is lethal. That is what the Lakers can capitalize on by moving him to the bench.

Keeping him in the starting five with LeBron is failing to maximize his potential as a true point guard. Again, he is going to share the court with LeBron anyway, but it makes more sense to ensure that he is on the court in the 8-15 minutes that LeBron is resting each and every game.

Moving him to the bench allows that to happen.

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