2020 Sixth Man of the Year finalist Dennis Schröder has been adamant since his move to the LA Lakers that he hoped to be the starting PG for the upcoming season.
Finishing second to new teammate Montrezl Harrell in last year’s Six Man of the Year race for his play with the Thunder, Schröder comes in as a significant new piece in the Laker’s 2021 title hopes.
“I did this off-the-bench stuff already in two years with OKC,” Schroder, a 7 year NBA veteran has previously been a starter and would likely start on a number of teams across the NBA. “I think I try to move forward, and I think with [Anthony Davis] and LeBron, I can be helpful as a starter in the PG position.”
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It has been reported by ESPN that Schroder has not yet discussed his desire to start with head coach Frank Vogel, but his representatives did with the Lakers front office before the trade that sent Danny Green to the Thunder was finalized.
With a few games into the season, the Lakers are still unsettled on their starting lineup. Schroder, who is likely to start at point guard as the season progresses, could also be asked to come off the bench in the early season.
Lebron, who is on the verge of 36 this month, led the league in assists in the 2020 NBA season. There are questions surrounding Lebron’s 10.2 assists per game last year, and whether Schroder will disrupt James by taking the ball out of his hands.
The Lakers notably won the NBA championship in 2020 with Lebron switching from his natural small forward position to point guard. Schroder who averaged 18.9 points and 4 assists per game in 2020 as Chris Paul’s backup insists that he can help take some of Lebron’s ball handling responsibilities.
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The latest on the LA Lakers starting lineup moves
With only a few games into the 2021 NBA season, it remains to be seen who will fill out the starting roster for the LA Lakers. The final spot in the starting lineup will likely come down to a battle between Kyle Kuzma or newcomer Wesley Matthews. Matthews is the more experienced veteran coming of a season as a starter for the Milwaukee Bucks but many believe Kuzma will be strongly considered due to his ability to be an offensive threat, and provide more size on the defensive side of the game.
