Los Angeles Lakers: The 5 biggest disappointments from this season

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball defended by Marc Gasol #14 and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 12, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball defended by Marc Gasol #14 and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 12, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
3 of 5
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

3. Dennis Schroder

I toyed with the idea of ranking Dennis Schroder higher on this list as he had some bad performances for the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs when they needed him most and it has become clear that the team is better off if they move on from Schroder this offseason.

However, the main reason for why he is a disappointment is because of his playstyle and how he fits on the Lakers, not necessarily his overall talent and production for the team last season.

The basic box score shows numbers that are down from the season prior but are still not downright terrible. The issues start to show themselves when you start looking at his advanced numbers from this season. Schroder had a -1.1 box plus/minus, putting him below a league-average player (zero).

There is a situation in which Schroder can exceed and that is with a team that is probably not a contender that can allow him to play big minutes and have a high usage rate. Schroder is a ball-stopper in the worst way for a point guard and he is someone who needs a high usage rate to play up to his ceiling.

That is just not what the Lakers need. The team needs a secondary playmaker next to LeBron James that can also take a backseat and still produce for the team while doing so. That was not Schroder last season and he failed to be the improvement from Rajon Rondo that the Lakers were hoping for.