Lakers: Why they should replace Dennis Schroder with Kemba Walker

The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be headed towards a divorce with their current starting point guard Dennis Schröder because of a contract dispute. Schröder had a year left on his contract when the Lakers acquired him.

Consequently, the Lakers made multiple attempts to give him a new contract because they felt that he was a player in the same age range as Anthony Davis allowing both players to be on the same timeline.

In December, the team offered him a two-year extension with $34 million. Schroder decided to turn that deal down because he is looking for a more lucrative contract. The team offered him one last contract extension in February worth $84 million over four seasons. But, like the previous one, Schroder rejected the deal, looking for a bigger offer.

The Los Angeles Lakers should consider moving away from Dennis Dennis Schröder in the offseason

Schroder’s constant rejection of contract offers from the Lakers angered the team. The team’s anger led them to put him in potential trade packages for other point guards. For instance, he was included in the Lakers’ offer for Kyle Lowry.

However, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors could not consummate a deal because Los Angeles was unwilling to include Talen Horton-Tucker. As a result, it is unlikely that the Lakers and Schroder will continue to have contract negotiations as the Lakers won’t be able to meet his requirements.

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report spoke to multiple executives on May 18th who stated that Schröder is looking to be the primary ball-handler of his next team and wants to be paid like a top starting point guard. However, Schröder isn’t going to be the primary ball-handler on the Lakers, as the Lakers run an offensive system centered around post-ups and pick and rolls.

The Lakers were fifth in the league in the playoff in post-up possessions, averaging 8 per game. 37.5 percent of those possessions went to Anthony Davis as he averaged 3 per game. The team was also 12th in pick and rolls, averaging 17 per game.

LeBron James accounted for 41.2 percent of the team’s pick and rolls as he led the organization, averaging 7 per game. Consequently, Schröder spent a significant amount of his minutes as a floor spacer, as he took over 37 percent of his shots from behind the arc, averaging 4.3 per game. In addition, catch and shoots were responsible for 81.4 percent of his threes as he averaged 3.5 per game.

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The Lakers are unlikely to change this offense as they have Anthony Davis and LeBron James under contract for at least the next two seasons. Therefore, Los Angeles will be looking for a new starting point/ off guard.

Unfortunately, the Lakers can’t sign free agents outright as they are slated to be $9.4 million over the cap. Consequently, the only way they could acquire a free agent point guard is via a sign and trade. However, the top free-agent point guard realistically available on the market is Kyle Lowry. It has been previously reported he prefers Miami and Philadelphia over Los Angeles.

Lowry’s preference leaves the Lakers with two options: DeMar DeRozan and Kemba Walker. Unfortunately, DeRozan has struggled as a floor spacer, converting 33.3 percent of his catch and shoots since 2013 on 1.2 attempts per game.

Catch and shoots accounted for 70.6 percent of his threes, as he shot 29.2 percent from behind the arc on 1.7 attempts per game. If the Lakers were to acquire DeRozan, defenders would leave him open when he is off the ball to provide help elsewhere. Consequently, it increases the likelihood of the rest of the team having to take a contested shot.

Let’s take a look at why Kemba Walker would be an ideal candidate to replace Dennis Schröder on the Los Angeles Lakers

Therefore, the Lakers should go the Walker route via trade. Walker has made 38.9 percent of his catch and shoots on 2.7 attempts per game since 2013. Catch and shoots have accounted for 39.1 percent of his attempts as he has shot 36.7 percent from behind the arc on 6.9 shots per game.

More importantly, Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics are both looking to break up. Walker is upset that the Celtics organization tried to trade him in 2020 for Jrue Holiday. On the other hand, Boston’s new President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens, has decided to build around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The Lakers would have to include $27.9 million of salaries to make a trade work as Walker will earn $36 million next season. Therefore, the Lakers could construct a trade package around Kyle Kuzma ($13 million), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $13 million), Alfonzo McKinnie $1.9 million) and a draft pick.

In conclusion, Kemba Walker would be the best fit for the organization as he is available and would be an excellent fit for the offense.