The Cleveland Cavaliers have recently acquired Dennis Schroder, a player who serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of betting on oneself in the NBA. After declining a lucrative contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021, Schroder has since navigated a series of trades and contract decisions that have significantly impacted his earning potential. This article explores the twists and turns of Schroder’s career, highlighting his journey and the lessons learned along the way.
The Decision to Decline the Lakers’ Offer
In March 2021, Dennis Schroder reportedly turned down a four-year, $84 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers. At that time, he was enjoying a successful run, averaging at least 15 points and 4 assists per game over five consecutive seasons, and showing improvement in his three-point shooting.
Schroder’s decision seemed justifiable; he was concluding a four-year, $70 million contract from his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks. With his performance steady or even improving, he anticipated a substantial pay raise entering free agency. However, unexpected challenges awaited him.
The Subsequent Contracts and Trades
Following his decision, the point guard market tightened, and Schroder struggled to find a new team. His scoring, field goal percentage, and three-point shooting declined during his time with the Lakers compared to his previous stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although his statistics aligned with his career averages, teams appeared wary of a potential decline in his talent.
Ultimately, he settled for a one-year, $5.89 million contract with the Boston Celtics, utilizing the taxpayer midlevel exception. His time in Boston was fleeting, as he was traded to the Houston Rockets after just 49 games. The Rockets subsequently allowed him to enter free agency, leading him back to the Lakers on a veteran minimum contract of approximately $2.64 million.
Schroder performed well enough in L.A. to secure a two-year, $25.4 million contract with the Toronto Raptors as the 2023-24 season approached. Yet, history repeated itself, as Toronto traded him to the Brooklyn Nets after only 51 games.
In the following season, Schroder was traded twice more, playing brief stints with the Nets, Golden State Warriors, and Detroit Pistons. After the Pistons won their first playoff games since 2008, they extended Schroder’s contract for three years at $44.44 million—only to immediately trade him to the Sacramento Kings.
His tenure with Sacramento also proved short-lived; after 40 games, he was sent to the Cavaliers in a three-team trade.
A Financial Overview and Future Prospects
To summarize the financial trajectory of Schroder’s career since declining the Lakers’ offer:
- 2021: 1 year, $5.89 million
- 2022: 1 year, $2.64 million
- 2023: 2 years, $25.43 million
- 2025: 3 years, $44.44 million
- Total: $78.4 million
By the time Schroder returns to free agency, he will be 35 years old—typically regarded as the twilight stage of an NBA career. Over the past seven years, he will have earned $5.6 million less than if he had accepted the original offer from the Lakers. Had he maintained his performance levels, he might have been on the brink of another long-term contract worth between $40 and $60 million, suggesting further financial loss.
Despite these setbacks, Schroder’s NBA career has still been financially rewarding. Since entering the league in 2013, he has grossed approximately $117.1 million and is set to earn over $30 million in the next two seasons.
The recent trade to the Cavaliers may turn out to be beneficial for him. With a troubled season behind the Kings, Schroder’s move might provide him with a fresh start and a more competitive team environment in Cleveland. Nevertheless, he has yet to recapture the financial opportunity he turned down five years ago, a reality that can be difficult to accept.
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