Is Dennis Schröder Meant to Play in Europe Instead of the NBA?

After a dazzling performance with the German team at the EuroBasket tournament during the offseason, Dennis Schröder has a brand new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in his pocket. But was it the right call to return to his old team, or does the European style of basketball actually suit Schröder much better?

The point guard played for the Lakers during the 2020-21 season, averaging 15.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. He was solid during the regular season and there was no doubt that he could carry the team when the Lakers needed him to bear a little more weight. But everyone knew that Schröder would always be the No. 3 behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The German fought hard against it, played more selfishly, and with that more inconsistently. He often held the ball for too long and released it too late, which made watching him play an emotional rollercoaster.

But there was a different Schröder on the EuroBasket court this summer. The point guard didn’t have to prove to anyone that he was better than No. 3 and it seems that this falling pressure made the difference. Together with the German playing style that highlighted all his best skills, Schröder was unstoppable. He is a talented ball-handler and scorer by nature, with a very high speed when he is running the offense and sneaky cross-overs and hesitation moves that shake his opponent. In an average of 33.1 minutes per game, he played very efficiently and more selflessly than he is usually known for in the NBA by leading the German team in assists. The improvement to his playing is found in the statistics: Schröder made 22.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.3 rebounds throughout the EuroBasket.

It would be easy to say that Schröder is meant to play basketball in Europe, maybe even in Germany, as his playing style seems to really work there. But it is also important to look at the differences between the NBA and European teams.

In the EuroBasket, Schröder acted as a team player and he didn’t have to chase after stars. That did him good. And maybe Europe would be the right place for the German point guard, but it has always been Schröder’s will to play with the best basketball players in the world. And those are not in Europe but in the NBA.

Dennis Schröder wanted a greater role with the Los Angeles Lakers in the past, but he has got some work to do before that happens. He needs more selflessness, more focus on the ball, and consistency in his play. It is not too late for him to improve those flaws, as he is still in his prime, an efficient player who possesses the capability to lead a team. The Lakers were ranked 27th place in defense and 12th place in offense last season and can really use Schröder with his aggressive defense and quick offensive drives that the opposing players can’t seem to stop. He is a good fit for the Lakers, even though any European team would love to have him.