The Sixers have undergone a quiet free agency up to this point. To some, that is a sign of things to come with Ben Simmons. For others, it is a sign that Philadelphia is no longer a destination. With the Simmons fiasco in full bloom and several second-round exits on the résumé, free agents who want to contend may simply be looking elsewhere. For free agents who want a payday, the Sixers lack the requisite financial flexibility.
With Danny Green officially on board, the Sixers are looking at a similar roster construction next season. Regardless of Simmons’ trade status, if neither Damian Lillard nor Bradley Beal emerge from the tunnel on opening night, it’s hard to imagine Philadelphia having improved its standing in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
Enter a very peculiar, and yet exceedingly interesting name — Dennis Schroder.
The Sixers are on the verge of regression. Would it make sense to swing for the free agent fences with Dennis Schroder?
Last season, Schroder very famously turned down a four-year, $84 million contract extension from the Lakers, who no longer desire his services. With cap space drying up, and one of the few teams left who can spend money out of the running (Dallas), there’s a good chance Schroder plays next season at a steep discount.
.@TheSteinLine “The Mavs have zero interest in Schroder. It’s staggering that he turned down the 84M offer from the Lakers. This is tough to watch, there’s been so little Schroder discussion. Tough stuff, tough to watch.”
— John Ledesma (@JohnnyNBA) August 5, 2021
The Sixers still have the $5.9 million mid-level exception available if Georges Niang’s contract is absorbed into the Al Horford trade exception. While Schroder is not a perfect fit by any stretch, he is a much better player than $5.9 million would suggest. And, in a summer where Victor Oladipo and Andre Drummond both signed for the minimum, how far off is Schroder from taking that kind of one-year flier?
Schroder may have no interest in Philadelphia. Another team could easily pay up, or he could seek out a different contender — such as the Celtics, who have a greater need at point guard. The Ben Simmons situation makes Philadelphia’s immediate future difficult to navigate, but regardless of Ben, the Sixers should sign Schroder if he’s willing to sign. He’s a potential starter next season, or at the very least, he’s one of the NBA’s top sixth men.
The Lakers operate under a unique spotlight, and Schroder took some flak after LA’s first-round loss to Phoenix. He did stumble towards the end, but overall, last season was far from a failure for Schroder. He was extremely productive as the No. 2 ball-handler next to LeBron James, averaging 15.4 points and 5.8 assists in a career-high 32.1 minutes per game.
Philadelphia would prefer a floor-spacer, and Schroder is only a 33.7 percent 3-point shooter for his career, but he takes enough 3s to command respect. Schroder’s value is rooted in his slashing. He has a lightning-quick first step, with slippery handles and a canny ability to glide through the paint for reverse layups. The Sixers have long lacked a consistent downhill penetrator in the halfcourt, and Schroder — combined with increased minutes for Tyrese Maxey — would create valuable pressure on the rim.
The Sixers probably should have paired Ben Simmons with another point guard from the jump. It’s probably too late to change his fate, and Schroder isn’t a dream complement, but he could help Simmons evolve in a new role offensively, should the 25-year-old All-Star stick around.
There’s still a good chance Schroder gets money elsewhere, and there’s no guarantee he views the Sixers as a choice destination. Even so, it’s worth a phone call.