Portland Trail Blazers: 3 point guards to target in 2022 NBA Free Agency
By Andy Quach
Portland Trail Blazers free agency point guard target: Dennis Schroder
Unfortunately for Dennis Schroder but fortunate for teams pursuing him this off-season, he’s not likely to sniff the four-year/$84 million contract that the Los Angeles Lakers may or may not have offered him any time soon.
While Schroder’s market has certainly taken a dip, he’s still a valuable piece for any team that hopes to contend.
One thing that makes him such an asset is despite all of his abilities, he’s willing to come off of the bench and has proven to thrive in that role. For that reason, the German point guard is a top-end option to have behind Lillard and Simons.
Schroder also happens to check all of the boxes that the Portland Trail Blazers need from an additional guard.
He can reliably run the offense for the second-unit.
He’s a constant threat to get to the cup and generate good looks for himself or his teammates.
He’s a superb defender at the point of attack.
Another bonus is that Schroder has proven that he can still be effective while playing alongside other lead guards; he did so suiting up next to Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While Head Coach Chauncey Billups probably and hopefully won’t play Dame, Ant, and Schroder at the same time — as there is only one plus defender in that trio compared to OKC’s two-and-a-half — it’s reassuring to know that he can comfortably play next to Lillard or Simons at any time.
If the Blazers choose to go into the offseason over the salary cap by retaining all of their holds, Schroder would be a perfect candidate for their midlevel exception, which should be worth just north of $10 million according to HoopsRumors.