Ex-Wizards Star Details Why Dennis Schroder Was the Missing Piece for Lakers

The Lakers are on a roll right now. They probably had the best off-season across all the teams in the NBA. They brought in younger players like Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell in place of veterans like Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee.

Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas spoke about the 27-year-old in a recent episode of the No Chill with Gil podcast explaining why Schroder solves most of Lakers’ problem.

He said, “That was one thing they needed last year. They needed a guy in the last 5 minutes who can get their own basket and someone who can create their own, which was the Lakers problem for the most part.

“You have LeBron and AD and from their everyone relied on them to get them open. You had a bunch of ball watchers. People just sitting in corners. Now you have someone who can actually go and get his own shot, which takes eyes off everyone else.”

He added, “Because if this guy goes rogue, and gets into that lane and score at will, now you have to re-shift your whole defense, which helps out everyone else. So I think that was a very good move by them.”

The champions have also made some other brilliant moves, like bringing in sixth man of the year Montrezl Harrell and bringing in a talented veteran center in Marc Gasol. They are surely the favorites to win the title.

Will Dennis Schroder start for the Lakers?

The Lakers front office realized that Rondo might leave and hence were looking for a point guard. In Dennis Schroder, the Lakers are getting a prolific playmaker and a good scorer. He is also a pest for the opposition’s offense.

Schroder is coming off of a career year averaging 18.9 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. He has been vocal about wanting a bigger role in the team.

But he is joining a championship team, where LeBron James is the primary ball handler. So Schroder starting as the point guard for the team seems far from possible.

However, Coach Vogel will know Schroder’s expectations and might switch to a two point guard system in order to incorporate Schroder in the starting line-up. With his prime approaching, his output might shoot up in a team like the Lakers.

Schroder who previously had played in the Thunder played with two other point guards in Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous Alexander in the starting lineup.  So he can easily fit in a multiple point-guard system.

The Lakers have significantly strengthened, and given the quality of the players they have in their roster, they are primed to repeat.