Former Laker Dennis Schroder attends game in Phoenix amid predicted trade
Former LA Lakers guard Dennis Schroder attended LeBron James and Co.'s clash against the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center on Tuesday. After two different stints with the Lakers in 2020-21 and 2022-23, Schroder is currently with the Brooklyn Nets.
With his team having a scheduled off amid their trip to the West Coast, the veteran found time to make a courtside appearance to watch his former team in action against Kevin Durant and Co. At the same time, he was streaming the Minnesota Timberwolves home game against the Houston Rockets on his phone.
Dennis Schroder is interestingly also a predicted trade candidate on the marker. Amid the Lakers' struggles, especially Gabe Vincent's poor showings, the fanbase has coveted Schroder's services again. The German played a key role in the team's 2023 Western Conference Finals run.
Despite that, LA preferred signing Gabe Vincent, who was coming off a finals run with Miami. Dennis Schroder signed a two-year $25.4 million deal with Toronto, while the Lakers signed Vincent for three years, offering him $33 million, a slightly cheaper deal annually.
Dennis Schroder is on the trade market but LA Lakers' focus on center and wing depth
The LA Lakers are actively pursuing roster upgrades in the trade market amid an up-and-down start this season. LA is 10-7 after recording another three-game losing streak following Tuesday's 127-100 blowout loss against the Phoenix Suns. The glaring weaknesses include the team's lack of wing and center depth.
The Lakers need a reliable two-way wing player and a center instead of another guard. While Dennis Schroder is reportedly available for trade, he's not the kind of player LA is looking for on the market. Among the interested candidates floated around as potential additions, the Lakers are pursuing Dorian Finney-Smith, Jonas Valanciunas, Robert Williams III and Nick Richards.
The Lakers are stacked well in the backcourt with Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht and Max Christie. LeBron James is also relied on as a playmaker. One of Cam Reddish, Gabe Vincent, or D'Angelo Russell could also end up staying on the Lakers after the trade deadline.
However, the Lakers are shorthanded in the frontcourt. Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood haven't made their season debuts, and there's no guarantee they can make an instant impact once back. The center rotation is also weak, with Jaxson Hayes missing time due to injuries. Lakers' two-way contract center Christian Koloko is the only deputy available to cover for Anthony Davis.
However, he's not someone JJ Redick is keen on playing next to Davis. The Lakers need someone more experienced and playable in a two-big lineup, especially with Wood still out.