NBA News: How Former Laker Dennis Schroder Tanked His Value This Offseason

When the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, many attributed the Suns’ victory to the then-defending champions as luck due to a groin injury sustained by Anthony Davis and a nagging ankle injury for LeBron James.

But it can also be argued that had their bench been able to pick up the slack and carry the load that they were expected to when their two biggest stars are not at full health, they could’ve pushed it to seven games.

Most of the blame went to Kyle Kuzma due to his dismal performance, but point guard Dennis Schroder was just as disappointing as well.

Schroder became a free agent this offseason when he decided to turn down a four-year, $84 million deal early in the year as he opted to bet on himself.

However, betting on one’s self only works when two things happen: one performs beyond what’s expected of him and there’s a market pining for his services.

Dropping a goose egg in the playoffs is not part of that criteria.

In the crucial Game 5 loss against the Suns, Schroder scored zero points after nine attempts from the field.

Going into free agency, Schroder was sticking to his guns and was still in search of a four-year, $100-$120 million contract.

Obviously, no one was willing to give him that big of a contract with him underperforming in the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics mercifully ended Schroder's time in free agency hell when they announced that they have signed him to a one-year, $5.9 million contract.

It’s a far cry from how high the Lakers valued him when they offered him that massive extension.

When free agency opened, many believed that the Lakers would have no choice but to cave in to his demands as they were still in dire need of a point guard but the Russell Westbrook trade surprised everyone and Schroder, surely.

With the Lakers out of the market, Schroder sat on his hands, unrelenting of his pursuit of a big payday.

The situation is reminiscent of Nerlens Noel’s decision to reject a $70 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks since he wanted a max contract back in 2018.

To Noel’s credit, he was able to get a major payday this summer with a three-year, $32 million contract to stay with the New York Knicks.

Schroder’s situation has become one of a multitude of cautionary tales to players who overvalue themselves and future free agents who would choose to seek a massive payday over job security despite underperforming.