Dennis Schroder gagged in free agency.
The veteran guard turned down a four-year, $84 million extension offer from the Lakers in March, because he was reportedly seeking a deal worth $120 million.
Well, he settled for a one-year contract worth $5.9 million. How’s that for playing hardball?
When news about the Celtics signing Schroder to the discounted deal broke Tuesday evening, he was rightfully mocked on NBA Twitter for his expensive display of basketball hubris. Hopefully Schroder has his notifications turned off.
Unfortunately, there may not be many places for him to hide. At the end of “SportsCenter,” anchor Elle Duncan also encapsulated the prevailing sentiment around Schroder’s free agent strategy: She put her fist in her mouth.
As they say, sometimes a picture is worth 1,000 words. At the end of the show, Duncan also added this wisdom: "Life comes at you fast."
It does indeed.
Schroder, 27, was in a “state of shock” over the lack of interest in his services, according to the Boston Herald’s Mark Murphy. The tenacious veteran’s epic miscalculation is a win for the Celtics, as they get to add an established playmaker without taking on any financial commitment past this season.
On Instagram, Schroder said he was elated to join the Celtics. “This is one of the best franchises in NBA history and it will be a honour to put on the green and white and do what I love!,” he wrote. “I'm going out there every night and leaving it all on the floor for the city!! Who's ready?”
We’re ready to see it, but is Schroder ready to play an entire season at below market rate? Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said recently he plans to put the ball in Marcus Smart’s hands a lot more this season.
Schroder grew unhappy with his sixth-man role on the Thunder, where he excelled and averaged 17 points per game in two seasons. It’s hard to believe he would be content taking a backseat to Smart while trying to rebuild his value.
Gag.