Lakers Deal Expected To Land OKC Guard Dennis Schröder For Danny Green And The 28th Pick

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The Los Angeles Lakers are just won the 2020 NBA title, but it seems that GM Rob Pelinka isn't done improving the team. They've now made a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to land Dennis Schröder to solidify their backcourt. L.A. was already scary good last year and just got much better.

Like LeBron or Anthony Davis needed this.

This move comes at as a bit of a surprise as Schröder is on record saying how he wouldn't want to play for either L.A. team.

"Yes, I have received offers," said Schröder. "But I never wanted to go to the Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, or all the names that my agent has called."

Well, it looks like the Lakers believe they can convince the 27-year-old guard to stay long-term. Keep in mind that the Lakers traded nearly all of their roster to acquire Anthony Davis without knowing his intentions long-term, either. Luckily for the Lakers and any team that has a history of winning--they can make players fall in love with a successful culture. Former Lakers like DeMarcus Cousins and Javale McGee raved about that very culture Schröder walks into next year.

They're hoping that pays off.

So who's in the deal?

The Lakers are, according to reports, sending Danny Green and the 28th pick.

OKC sends Dennis Schröder, who is the real headliner in this trade.

Danny Green has been seen as a diminishing asset the second he stepped on the court in 2020 with the Lakers. With his $15 million salary in 2021, the Lakers were on record to be shopping him the second the final buzzer sounded. How the Lakers managed to give up a player they didn't want plus a late first-round pick for a talented guard in the NBA? We'll never know.

Most important take away from this deal is that the Lakers still hold onto Eye Kuzma, that is surely landing them talent in another deal. Of course, they could keep Kuzma now that they've sured up their real team need with the addition of Dennis Schröder.

L.A. likely isn't done, so don't step away from your phones just yet.