NBA Rumors: Lakers To Acquire Schroder, Does This Close Door On Rondo?

KEY POINTS

Schroder addresses the Los Angeles Lakers' guard needs
Schroder initially did not want to join the Lakers and Clippers
Rondo and Bradley are unlikely to return for the Lakers next NBA season

The Los Angeles Lakers could be landing a key piece soon with reports that they intend to get Dennis Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

However, the deal will include Danny Green and whoever the Lakers pick at No. 28 in the 2020 NBA Draft.

It would have been easier if the Lakers would include the rights to the 28th pick to the Thunder, but there is an NBA rule to follow. Teams are prohibited from trading first-round picks in consecutive years, ESPN reported.

Los Angeles sent its No. 4 overall pick in 2019 to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade. It would be best to note that OKC also owns the 25th pick in the coming draft.

The Schroder deal may come a bit of a surprise for those following the German player. The 27-year-old guard was quoted as saying on the MagentaSport podcast (via Sport 1) that he never wanted to go to the Lakers or the Los Angeles Clippers. He was content staying on with the Thunder.

Unfortunately, that was a call Schroder could not make. Considering those comments, it will be interesting if further moves would be made. For now, the safe bet is that he is bound for Hollywood, something that can be finalized by Wednesday night after the NBA Draft.

Once and if finalized, it could slam the door on any hope of seeing Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley return to the Lakers’ fold.

Both have player options with Rondo the only one declaring that he will test free agency.

Rondo is expected to get his share of suitors and a big pay raise for the 2020-21 wars. Bradley has yet to reveal his plans. He recently changed agents, now under the guidance of Charles Briscoe, The Athletic reported.

Like Rondo, Bradley is speculated to be also declining his option to test the free-agent market, ESPN reported.

As for Schroder, he has one year left in his current deal. The Lakers could end up offering him a new contract once that deal expires.

But all that would depend on how Schroder performs with the Lakers this coming season with the purple and gold looking to make it back-to-back NBA title triumphs.