Reacquiring Schroder Gives Whole New Meaning To Westbrook's Situation With Lakers

Dennis Schroder of Germany Maja Hitij/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

Dennis Schroder may dread his decision to pass up a previous big-money offer made by the Lakers
Schroder could be a backup plan for the Lakers in the event that Russell Westbrook is traded
An American scribe sees Schroder as added help for the rebuilding Lakers this 2022-23 NBA season

Dennis Schroder is back in Hollywood after reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal worth $2.6 million.

Assuming he performs well in his second stint with the franchise, it may be hard to see the German guard getting a big money offer similar to what was offered to him back in 2021, according to a report from CBS Sport.

There are several reasons to consider. One is that Schroder did not exactly hit it well with some notable Lakers' personalities, including Magic Johnson.

It will be recalled that the NBA legend did not mince words when he gave his opinion on the 6-foot-1 guard.

Johnson spoke on AM 570 in Los Angeles at the time and stressed that he didn't think that Schroder brought a winning mentality and attitude that the Lakers need.

"I don't think he's a Laker," Johnson said. "That's just my opinion. I don't know if they're gonna sign him back or not. I don't think he brings the winning mentality and attitude that we need.

Regardless of the seemingly rough patch, American sports scribe Roland Lazenby feels that Schroder could be of help to the Lakers this coming season.

"Schroder has had his own relationship with the Lakers, a tragedy of sorts for a player, and that he was offered an $80 million contract after playing very well for them. And he's a good player. He will help them this year," Lazenby stated in an interview with PTV Sports.

"He continues to be one of the most important things in basketball and that is consistent. He is consistently a double-figure scorer, he is consistently a playmaker, and he is consistently a competitor."

With the entry of Schroder, there is a possibility that the German could be some sort of insurance if Russell Westbrook is traded.

Lazenby gave his take on this possibility.

"It is some insurance, but I think it's more help. Whether Westbrook is traded or not, this is the kind of player who is, as I said, consistently good and those are the building blocks of NBA success," the decorated book author explained.