With the NBA literally losing its most iconic point guard, Lakers legend Jerry West, who inspired the league’s logo, the Nets are still figuring out what to do at the position.
Which lead guard will lead the Nets?
Ben Simmons says he’s betting on himself.
Most of the league, and many Nets fans, would probably take that bet.
Dennis Schroeder said he would like to take the job.
He did the same thing again this month.
It remains to be seen which of them will start in the opening game of next season.
So will Schroder stick around after representing Germany at this summer’s Olympics?
“Brooklyn is a really cool, great organization with a really family atmosphere,” Schröder told local newspaper Braunschweig Zeitung a few days ago. “I definitely want to be here for a long time. My agent and I feel that the Nets really valued my contributions.”
“I’ve worked on defense, teamwork and leadership, but if a good player like Giannis Antetokounmpo or another superstar wants to come to Brooklyn, the Nets could make a deal to get him… That’s why nothing is a sure thing in the NBA.”
Putting Antetokounmpo aside for a moment, it sounds like Schroder is lobbying to stay with the Nets.
It wasn’t the first time.
After playing for five teams over the past three seasons, Schroder understands the business side of the NBA and the possibility of being traded again.
“Yeah, at the end of the day the NBA is a business,” Schroder said after the season ended.
“Obviously, the last two months in Brooklyn have been amazing. As I said, organizationally, structurally, [the media] Not bad. Brooklyn has been great overall. Like I said, it’s always great to be in one place, but at the same time you have to be realistic and things can change.”
Schroder has leadership qualities, which he demonstrated by leading Germany to the gold medal at last summer’s FIBA World Cup.
And since being acquired from Toronto by the Nets at this season’s trade deadline, he’s averaging 14.6 points and six assists while slashing .424/.412/.797.
He is the second-oldest on the Nets’ roster, turning 31 before the start of next season. Veteran Dorian Finney-Smith has also been linked to other teams in trade rumors, and Schroder is likely worth at least as much.
He’s not eligible for a contract extension and is on a team-favorable $13 million contract that expires next season, making him a viable trade target, but would the Nets move him?
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, will play in the same position and make $40.3 million next season.
But he has been frequently injured and has played in just 57 games in his two-and-a-half seasons with the Nets, leading to ridicule for a recent Instagram post: “When you bet on yourself and it pays off, it’s different.”
That means the Nets still have question marks at key positions.
Nets general manager Sean Marks typically makes his moves within a day or two of the draft, with the first round taking place on June 26 at Barclays Center.
Do they move Schroder and add some draft capital?
If so, who will they target as the starter? Some league sources have suggested unrestricted free agent Tyus Jones could be a candidate.
Clearly, the Nets have their eye on guard Donovan Mitchell.
But if Antetokounmpo is the ultimate goal — the 29-year-old two-time MVP for a Bucks team that is rapidly aging and has suffered consecutive first-round exits — Schroder could well be on his way out.
For better or worse, point guard is a position with a lot of questions.
Now it’s up to Marks and the Nets to come up with the right answer.
