The final big-name point guard in a strong class of free agent floor generals has finally joined a team for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. On Tuesday evening, Dennis Schröder announced that he will sign with the Boston Celtics.
“I’m proud to announce that for the 2021-22 season, I’ll be playing with the Boston Celtics!” Schröder wrote in an Instagram story, per Marc Stein. “This is one of the best franchises in NBA history and it will be an honor to put on the green and white and do what I love! I’m going out there every night and leaving it all on the floor for the city!! Who’s ready?!”
ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski first reported that the Celtics and Schröder had agreed to terms on a one-year deal for next season. The 27-year-old plans to sign for the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.9 million, according to Woj.
Schröder was connected to the Celtics last week, soon after the start of free agency but after many of the available point guards had come off the board. ESPN’s Jordan Schultz reported that Boston had offered the former first-round pick the taxpayer mid-level exception deal, but that Schröder wanted the full $9.5 million awarded in the full mid-level exception.
Given that the point guard market had died down and many teams found themselves without a need for a starter, the Celtics offer seemed to be the best one still on the table for Schröder.
Dennis Schroder announces via Instagram he’s going to the Boston Celtics: pic.twitter.com/SBgXSdeOP4
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 10, 2021
Deal will be for the $5.9M exception, per source.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 10, 2021
The deal might not be what Schröder expected to land headed into this summer, considering reports indicated that he turned down a four-year extension worth up to $84 million to return to the Lakers in the middle of last season. Rumors suggested that the 27-year-old hoped for a deal that would earn him $20 million to $25 million per year in free agency this summer.
Schröder had a solid 2020-21 campaign with the Lakers, but that steep asking price was simply far more than many were willing to give him. He averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 assists per game this past season, while shooting just 33.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Although the new deal with the Celtics isn’t what he expected, Schröder will be well set up in Boston to bounce back from a down year and provide his new team with a much-needed spark on offense. If he plays well, he could be in for a far better payday come next offseason.
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