NBA Rumors: Schroder-Harrell Lakers Brotherhood Should Serve Fair Warning, Teams Put On Notice

KEY POINTS

Dennis Schroder will settle Montrezl Harrell's NBA fine following the Lakers-Raptors skirmish
The Lakers' brotherhood may fire up the undermanned team for the remaining games
Schroder and Harrell's return to the Lakers after this season is uncertain

Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell are two players of the Los Angeles Lakers who could be leaving after the season due to different cases. But while the two are playing alongside each other, they are covering each other’s backs.

Schroder pledged to pay the fine that the NBA mete on Harrell, who came to his aid following an unusual foul from OG Anunoby. The wrestling move that swept the German guard off his feet instigated a skirmish that saw several players suspended and fined. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee was fined $20,000 for his involvement, and Schroder said he would cover it.

"Who got fined? Trezz?" Schroder asked reporters on Thursday. "Oh, yeah we're going to take care of that. He had my back, so we're going to take care of that for sure."

Other than Harrell, also drawing fines were his Lakers teammate Talen Horton-Tucker and the Toronto Raptors trio of Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and DeAndre Bembry. Horton-Tucker, VanVleet and Bembry also served one-game suspensions as a result of the skirmish.

While some felt that Harrell and other players got off easy, it would be best to note this act of brotherhood is good for the Lakers, which continue to play undermanned. Despite their future with Los Angeles being uncertain, it shows that Schroder and Harrell have a bond that could translate into something that may benefit the Lakers campaign.

As most know, the purple and gold are trying to figure out how to win games with LeBron James and Anthony Davis still out. Both stars are reportedly nearing a return, but the camaraderie from the healthy bodies could provide a big lift for the Lakers NBA title-retention chances.

Schroder and Harrell have been keeping the Lakers afloat together with other stars like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and new addition Andre Drummond. Things may not be looking too good for head coach Frank Vogel right now, but the worries could be over in a few weeks. And with that in mind, the Lakers could be back with a vengeance once the NBA playoffs kick off with a (hopefully) complete roster.