FA Rumor: Dennis Schröder seeking $100-$120 million contract

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Los Angeles Lakers point guard Dennis Schröder is slated to be one of the biggest names in the free-agent pool this offseason.

And, according to a recent rumor, he expects to be paid like it.

In an appearance on the Abteilung Basketball podcast, Armin Andres, Vice President of German Basketball Federation, said that Schröder "has communicated this clearly: he wants $100, $120 million – which he will probably also get – and this sum insured cannot be insured on the normal market at the moment" (translation via TalkBasket).

Over four years, that sum would translate to a range of $25-$30 million in average annual value. Over five years, $20-24 million.

While Andres' words aren't coming directly from Schröder's mouth, those figures align with a previous report that he turned down a four-year, $84 million extension offer from the Lakers during the 2020-21 season.

The Bulls reportedly intend to upgrade at point guard this offseason, and, without a 2021 first-round draft pick, free agency represents the most fertile ground to do so. Provided Schröder and the Lakers don't reach an extension agreement by Aug. 1, the 27-year-old point guard will be an unrestricted free agent.

But for the Bulls to free up salary cap space in the neighborhood of Schröder's desired range, they would need to renounce all of their current free agents and likely waive Thad Young and Tomáš Satoranský, whose contracts carry partial guarantees for next season. On top of the monetary cost, it would be a hefty price to pay.

The Lakers will also have a leg up on Schröder suitors come August. With his Bird rights in hand, the Lakers will have the ability to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him, and have little to gain by letting him walk, given their over-the-cap status whether he returns or not.

Schröder averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds for Los Angeles last season, though his 3-point percentage (33.5) regressed one year after posting a career-high (38.5) in that department with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019-20, when he finished a Sixth Man of the Year finalist.

The ultimate resolution of his free-agent status could be a meaningful domino in the point guard market this summer.

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