Fansided

3 Lakers that must step up without LeBron James

By Rucker Haringey

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on February 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on February 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Dennis Schroder, Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on February 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

1. Dennis Schroder

The Lakers traded for Schroder with the idea that he could become the team’s No. 3 option on offense. Without James and Davis in the lineup, the burden falls on the talented lead guard to both score and create for Los Angeles on the offensive end of the floor.

It’s fair to call Schroder’s season to date concerning for Lakers officials. He’s failed to produce efficient offense at the rate Los Angeles was hoping for. Their front office hoped for better than a true shooting percentage of 54.1 percent on 22.5 percent usage when they acquired him. Those numbers are particularly disappointing considering how often Schroder’s been deployed as the team’s primary creator against second units.

The hope in Los Angeles has to be that Schroder’s game becomes reenergized by needing to be the team’s No. 1 option. He’s going to get the ball in his hands as much as he can stand over the next few weeks. The Lakers desperately need him to improve his shooting and distribution if this team is going to survive offensively without LeBron on the floor.

In many ways, this could turn into a make or break period for Schroder’s tenure with the franchise. If he shows out and plays well without LeBron and Davis then he’s in line for a big free-agent contract from the Lakers. If he continues to struggle, this could be the stretch that forces him out of LA in the offseason.

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