NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Dennis Schroder might be on his way to the Thunder.
The Los Angeles Lakers are maniacally devoted to finding a third scoring option this offseason, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are switching gears as they look to rebuild. Those two desires have led to Sam Presti putting star sixth man Dennis Schroder on the trade market, and the Lakers pounced on the standout German guard in a hurry.
The Lakers are focused on acquiring Schroder, and Rob Pelinka is willing to part with the No. 28 pick in the 2020 NBA draft to acquire him. Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the deal is expected to be officially finalized next week. Schroder has one year left on his contract at $15.5 million, which is pretty economical for a third star in 2020.
Dennis Schroder is coming off arguably the best season of his career
Schroder, who started his career with the Atlanta Hawks, was traded to Oklahoma City two years ago in the trade that helped them move off of Carmelo Anthony. While Schroder started playing as an off-ball guard more this year, that move helped him set a new career-high with 18.9 points per game on 39 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Schroder, who many believe was robbed of the Sixth Man of the Year award, has become one of the better perimeter defenders in the West over the last few years.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic postulated that veteran guard Danny Green might be headed to Oklahoma City in this deal, as the pair have nearly identical contracts that could help make the finances match up in this trade.
The Thunder’s stockpile of picks will continue to grow, while the Lakers get a guy who will comfortably put up 18 points a night, play pestilent defense, and stroke it from beyond the arc. It’s rare to see a true win-win trade, but that’s exactly what this deal looks like.