4 players the Rockets should target from the Raptors' fire sale

2. Dennis Schroder

The name Dennis Schroder has mostly been synonymous with a fumbled $84 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers, and rightfully so, because that…..just…..shouldn’t….happen.

But I’ve already covered that.

Schroder was signed by the Raptors this past summer, after they lost Fred VanVleet to the Rockets on the opening day of free agency. The Raptors pivoted to Schroder, giving him a two-year deal worth $25.4 million. Schroder has played well in Toronto: 13.9 points, 6.3 assists, 45.1 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from long-range (4.4 attempts), and 56.6 percent true shooting, the latter two of which are second-best in his 11-year career. However, the OG Anunoby trade that saw the Raptors get Immanuel Quickley put an end to Schroder’s days as a starter.

And with just one year left after this season, the Raps would be wise to deal him.

Schroder can play alongside a true floor general, as he did with LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers and Chris Paul with the Oklahoma City Thunder (not to mention Russell Westbrook prior to CP3’s arrival in OKC).

Schroder’s best all-around season came alongside Paul in 2019-20, in which the Thunder rolled out a three guard lineup of Paul, Schroder, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Schroder has consistently been a plus defender and is a fiery competitor. Not to mention his overall commitment and dedication to the game.

In other words, he’s somewhat of a culture-setter, which is typically the kind of player Udoka wants.