Ahead of the NBA’s transaction window opening on Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly agreed to acquire Dennis Schroder via trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported this news on Sunday morning.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in advanced talks with Oklahoma City on a trade for guard Dennis Schroder, sources tell ESPN. Deal expected to include OKC acquiring LA’s pick at No. 28 in Wednesday’s draft. Deal can be completed at noon ET on Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers Acquire Dennis Schroder from Oklahoma City Thunder
According to Wojnarowski, the defending 2020 NBA Champion Lakers will be adding a key piece. This comes in the form of Thunder combo guard Schroder, who averaged 18.9 points and four assists per game last season.
The NBA’s transaction window officially opens on Monday afternoon. According to Wojnarowski’s sources, the Lakers intend to trade the player they select with the 28th overall pick in addition to Danny Green to the Thunder.
With the deal involving a draft selection, this pushes back the finalization of the deal to draft night. The NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th.
Schroder is one of the top guards in the league’s current trade market. He has one year and $15.5 million left on his contract. According to the reports, this trade infers that Schroder intends to eventually re-sign with Los Angeles after next season.
Last season, Schroder finished second in the voting for Sixth Man of the Year. The combo guard has been vocal about returning to the starting lineup, after playing behind Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City.
The Lakers cannot trade its 2020 first-round selection to the Thunder because of a rule that restricts teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years. Of course, if this trade is finalized, the Thunder will dictate who the Lakers select with the 28th pick.
Schroder fortifies the Lakers’ backcourt. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso are both under contract next season. Yet, veteran guards JR Smith and Rajon Rondo may be lost in free agency.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images