NBA Trade Season Has Officially Started With The Lakers Trading For Dennis Schroder

And we're off! 

Earlier this morning we all got the Woj bombs about the 2020-21 league schedule and the news that trades can officially start tomorrow afternoon.

Obviously, that's just a formality because everyone with a brain knows that deals have already been in the works for some time now. Well you knew that leaks would soon follow and here we go, we have our first official trade of the NBA offseason

That's a clear upgrade for the defending champs, no two ways about it. Danny Green knew the writing was on the wall as soon as the season ended and as an expiring $15M, that money lines up perfectly with Schroder. I wonder what that means for Rondo/Avery Bradley, but it doesn't look like they had to include Kuzma which is important because they could still use him in another deal.

Advertisement

Now this is funny because of what Dennis Schroder came out and said a few days ago

Whoops! Looks like you're headed to the Lakers! It's not like he has a no trade clause or anything. It's clear the Thunder are blowing everything up, and unloading Schoder is part of that plan. Have to think the same is true for Chris Paul and Steven Adams. Granted the 28th pick and an expiring deal isn't a crazy return, but it's better than nothing I suppose. He came over in the Melo deal, gave them a few good years, and now is getting flipped for a first round pick. That's not terrible by Sam Presti.

The fact is, Schroder is one of the better scoring guards in the entire league. He can start, or play off the bench. On ball or off ball. He put up 18.9 points on 46/35% shooting this season in OKC, and he's going to give the Lakers some much needed additional guard scoring. His role will obviously be a little different playing next to LeBron, but as we just saw guys tend to fall in line when playing on a LeBron team. It's hard to say the Lakers didn't just get a whole lot better flipping an end of the first round pick and Danny Green for a talent like Dennis Schroder.

Advertisement

The question I now have is if this is their big move? They don't have a ton of cap space, but I also don't think they had a ton of needs either. I mean they're the defending champs. They'll be able to find guys on veteran minimum deals to round out their roster, but Schroder is for sure a legit get.

Buckle up everybody, things are about to get nuts.