Lakers fans won’t like who just asked LeBron James to ‘run it back’ on IG

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: Anthony Davis (L) and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers laugh while attending Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: Anthony Davis (L) and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers laugh while attending Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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As it currently stands, the Los Angeles Lakers have one open roster spot to fill either with a converted two-way contract or in free agency. There is also the potential for the Lakers to trade more players away than they receive in future deals to open up roster spots as well.

Regardless, there are not many more additions the Lakers can make this summer and there is one former disappointing Lakers who is pounding the table to give it a second go in Los Angeles.

Dennis Schroder, who infamously turned down a four-year, $84 million contract only to become a league-minimum player this upcoming season, wants to run it back with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers next season. He alluded to such in an Instagram comment to King James himself.

The last time we saw Schroder in the purple and gold was the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns. Schroder had to step up and be the second-best player on the Lakers with Anthony Davis getting hurt and he didn’t do that at all.

Schroder averaged 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in that playoff series. His shooting was atrocious as he shot 40% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc. All that being said, Schroder still makes sense on paper for the Lakers.

Los Angeles needs a true backup point guard regardless of it they have Russell Westbrook or Kyrie Irving starting next season. Heck, there is even the possibility that Patrick Beverley is in the starting five and having Schroder behind him is not the worst outlook.

There simply is not enough room on the Los Angeles Lakers for Dennis Schroder, though.

While Schroder seemingly makes sense on paper, as it stands right now, the Lakers do not have the roster spots to make this happen. If the team wouldn’t have guaranteed Max Christie’s contract and instead optioned him to the G League (which is where he should be) then they would have more flexibility.

However, with only one roster spot as it stands right now, it is really hard to justify bringing Schroder in after the Summer League that Cole Swider had. This Lakers team desperately lacks three-point shooting and Swider was the best shooter in the Summer League.

He is a legit deadeye that gives the team wing depth. His role on this team would be far more important than Schroder’s. More importantly, his development as a young player is much more important for the greater good of the franchise.

Perhaps something can open up if the Lakers trade away three players and get two players in return in any sort of Westbrook salary dump. But that is the only way that it makes sense to use a roster spot on Schroder, even if he makes some sense from an Xs and Os standpoint.

But hey, maybe it is a good thing that the Lakers do not have the means to bring Schroder back. The last thing we want is Rob Pelinka to fall back in love with him and offer him another contract that is way over his value.