Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting where each Lakers free agent signs

By Jason Reed | Jul 21, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers helps his teammates Montrezl Harrell #15 and Alex Caruso #4 during the third period of a game at Staples Center on March 20, 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 Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Dennis Schroder: Chicago Bulls

The team that makes the most sense for Dennis Schroder is the Chicago Bulls and Laker fans better hope it is via a sign-and-trade. Schroder is asking for way too much money to justify paying him after his production last season but the team cannot afford to let the asset walk away.

Fortunately, there is a somewhat risky sign-and-trade move that the Lakers can pull off to acquire a recent lottery pick. There is some risk involved there, but it would be less risky than paying Schroder $20-25 million per season.

The Bulls are reportedly interested in Schroder as they are looking for a playmaking point guard to put next to Zach LaVine in the backcourt. The Bulls are going to be aggressive as they traded for Nikola Vucevic last year so a move for Schroder, although perhaps not moving the needle that much, is right up their alley.

The Bulls are the perfect team for Schroder to get overpaid by. The team is desperate for any sort of success as it has been one of the worst teams of the last decade but it is not good enough, nor has enough money, to get a true third star.

Someone of Schroder’s caliber is exactly the kind of player a team like the Bulls get and the team can pull it off via a sign-and-trade to produce more financial flexibility. It makes perfect sense.

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