Dennis Schroder Labeled as Potential Free Agent Fit for Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have quite the upcoming period of free agency ahead of them this summer.
Devin Booker is eligible for a four-year, $211 million extension that would kick before the 2024-25 season after making All-NBA first team this year.
Deandre Ayton is in search of a supermax deal, and there's genuine questions on how the Suns feel about his future in Phoenix. Ayton is still ultimately controlled by the Suns as he's a restricted free agent, yet his price tag moving forward is something to monitor.
Cam Johnson is also eligible for a rookie extension (25% maximum of the cap) for a five-year, $186 million deal that would begin in 2023.
While the Suns have their own eggs to hatch, outside options shouldn't be ignored in order to improve the team.
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale recently put out an article of 10 free agents who need a change of scenery (funny enough, Ayton made that list), and one notable guard was labeled as a good fit for the Suns:
Dennis Schroder Labeled as Potential Free Agent Fit for Phoenix Suns
Here's Favale's dive on Schroder and what potentially lies ahead:
"Dennis Schroder will not be wildly out of place if he returns to the Houston Rockets. They could use a veteran floor general if they still prefer to pay John Wall to do absolutely nothing, and he will be afforded a more powerful offensive license on a rebuilding squad that actually plays him than a playoff hopeful or title contender.
"It doesn't take long before that logic starts to ring hollow, if not feel outright forced.
"Schroder turns 29 in September. He didn't play nearly well enough this season to warrant a steep long-term investment on the open market and is running out of time to prove he's worth one. His stock will receive the biggest boon if he plays an impactful and efficient role on a good team as part of a larger ecosystem than if he stat-stuffs for a full year in Houston.
"This all presumes the Rockets let him stat-stuff. They may not. Jalen Green is the focal point of the offense, and guards like Josh Christopher and Kevin Porter Jr. are far more important to the bigger picture. Eric Gordon will also eat into Schroder's opportunity if Houston doesn't trade him, and the team could feasibly draft a guard with the No. 17 pick from Brooklyn. (It's guaranteed to take a big at No. 3.)
"Staying with the Rockets most likely won't be the smartest financial play either. They don't have his Bird rights or cap space. The most they can offer him is the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($10.3 million), and unless they're peddling that over four years, he stands to increase his long-term earning potential by taking the mini MLE or less from a better team prowling for downhill juice and secondary ball-handling in the half court."
Schroder would be a welcome presence on Phoenix's roster, as he could undoubtedly boost the Suns' scoring abilities. However, unless the Suns plan on running a three guard system (good times, right Ryan McDonough?), a player in Schroder's caliber may not want to be resigned to a bench role.
Of course, if Chris Paul is okay with having his minutes cut for postseason preservation, having Schroder as a sixth man would be an ideal situation. Phoenix's scoring off the bench in the playoffs was anything but consistent, and Schroder's presence would help fill a major role.
His price tag wouldn't come at a major cost, either. Schroder (who will be 29 next season) made just $5.89 million last season thanks to a MLE (mid-level exception) triggered by the Boston Celtics. That figure would have ranked No. 7 on Phoenix's roster last season, narrowly beating Mikal Bridges' $5.557 million number.
A mid-level exception for Schroder would be $6.392 million next season, yet would he search for more money on the open market?
The Suns have already made it clear they're focused on retaining their current core of players, yet if the opportunity to sign Schroder arises, general manager James Jones should at minimum entertain the possibility of adding the veteran guard to the arsenal.
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