Signing Rating: Kings sign Dennis Schroeder s assessment

We evaluate the Kings' decision to sign a three-year contract with veteran point guard Dennis Schroeder in the NBA free agent market.

After a brief "love relationship" with basketball enthusiasts in the 2022-23 season, the Sacramento Kings became a laughing stock again. In the NBA play-offs, they lost to the supposedly depressed Dallas Mavericks by double-digit home scores, making this statement difficult to argue (Malik Monk was absent, Kyrie Irving also missed the Mavericks’ game). However, this should not be the case. The Kings' roster has All-Star talented players, key offensive firepower points, and some young players with unlimited potential and are expected to continue to improve. The team with a winning rate of less than 50% was disappointing in the offseason, but that's the case. Although the team is active, it has failed to create a balanced lineup that can cooperate tacitly on the court.

The Sacramento Kings are seriously lacking in cohesion, and new general manager Scott Perry is currently almost unable to implement major changes due to their commitment to paying huge contracts to Domantas Sabonis, Demar DeRozan and Zach Laven. The Kings have already laid the bed, and even if the long-time coaching executive wants to change the situation, they can only lie in the bed obediently. The only thing the team can do now is to make themselves as comfortable as possible.

While you may not agree, signing Dennis Schroeder in free agency can actually do that. I understand the risks of signing this offensively erratic point guard and signing a three-year, $45 million contract, which we will talk about later, but we must admit that signing a veteran who can provide additional organizational offensive and defensive strength will also be beneficial. This team is desperate for a change in identity, and the deal may push it to a positive track.

Walking on a bumpy road, sometimes the best result we can expect is to minimize discomfort. Now that I'm digging deeper into my metaphor library, I might be starting to deal with the problems in front of me. It's time to give the Kings' Dennis Schroeder a score.

Potential Advantages of Signing Dennis Schroeder

Before judging whether the Kings have paid an overpaid salary for the 6-foot-1 German, it is important to understand what he can bring to "Tree City". Schroder has a strong sense of rhythm on the offensive end and is equally excellent on the defensive end, but the vitality he injects into the team is often overlooked.

He has a lot of motivation and amazing explosiveness. In addition, coaches, players and fans are all confident in his stable playing time. In his 12-year career, Schroeder has only three regular season appearances with less than 65 games. Physical condition, efficiency, price and age are all important factors that Kings senior executives must consider in the future, but having a trusted professional player performs on the court and in the locker room is also crucial.

The former No. 17 averaged 13.9 points per game, shooting 43.2% from the field and 34.2% from three-pointers. In addition, he averaged 27.3 minutes per game and was able to deliver 4.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds. However, we still need to see deeper than the data.

Schroder's brief play for the Golden State Warriors was a disaster, but he helped the Brooklyn Nets out of expectations early last season and also played well for the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs — scoring more than 14 points in three six-game series and hitting 47.6% from three points against the New York Knicks. He can be a source of vitality for the team when the right situation is right. And this is exactly the quality that the Kings should definitely pay attention to after losing their way in the 2024-25 season.

They fired head coach Mike Brown and traded the former team cornerstone De Aaron Fox. Perhaps Dennis Schroeder could alleviate some of the instability factors for the team during his time with the Kings. The potential drawbacks of Schroeder's starting position as the Kings

The Sacramento Kings are correctly defined as a team that takes the lead in scoring, but that doesn't mean their roster is particularly flexible. Three-pointers are still a problem. Apart from Zach Laven (who shot a 44.6% from a long shot in the Kings in 32 games), the team lacks space players. It is unlikely that Schroeder will be able to help too much in this regard. His shooting percentage with the Warriors was particularly bad. The hit rate of

32.2% is simply terrible, you can even say that he is simply taking it upon himself. Giving the player $15 million a year and allowing him to replace the starting point guard for three seasons is definitely not the best solution for a stagnant team. Schroeder will turn 32 before the 2025-26 NBA season begins, which makes people wonder whether he can truly improve the Sacramento Kings in the foreseeable future.

Many fans prefer to choose Keon Ellis or trade candidate Malik Monk. Sophomore point guard Devin Carter's position on the team has also become more confusing. When management invests a lottery sign in a rookie, they usually maintain confidence for at least the next few seasons. Has the former Providence Friars star missed the team after experiencing a rookie season plagued by injuries and weak offense?

Perhaps the Kings could have completed a deal to fill this position. Saving money and prioritizing young players has its own benefits. However, I must reiterate my previous point of view. Sacramento was in trouble when forming the roster. Now, they must try their best to get out of the situation. Signing Schroeder does not necessarily mean double the investment.

This is probably the most practical way to ensure that there is at least one piece worth watching for fans before the opportunity for real reconstruction comes.

Denis Schroeder's final rating

Scott Perry is using Schroeder as a bridge to the final long-term starting point guard. If this plan goes as I expected, Sacramento will continue to stay in the NBA play-offs and have the opportunity to enter the playoffs while the general manager thinks about how to shape the team's future.

Schroeder can coach Carter or any other young defender the Kings brings in during this period. After that, he will transfer to his 11th NBA team and repeat the cycle. The alliance has now sparked some complaints, but there should be some positive aspects.

Salary and years are too high, so it will affect my overall rating. However, there aren’t many options in the free agent market, forcing the Sacramento Kings to pay an overpaid point guard for a competent point guard. Dennis Schroeder is such a point guard. He is not the Kings' door to open a new era or to compete for a championship, but he is a capable NBA player who can make this team better than before he arrived.

I understand, this doesn't attract everyone. However, that's enough to give me a good rating to the Sacramento Kings.

Denis Schroeder Contract: B