Dennis Schroder was recently named the MVP of the 2025 EuroBasket tournament after leading Germany to a gold medal. This honor, along with the rest of his international resume, has even given him some Hall of Fame buzz. It’s left some Pistons fans questioning whether their team should have done more to retain his services this offseason.
Dennis Schroder left a void on the Pistons
When Schroeder elected to sign with the Kings in free agency, he left the Pistons without a bona fide backup point guard. Last season, he played that critical role for Detroit in the second half of the regular season and in the playoff series against the Knicks. Fans are still searching for who can fill the role next season, whether it’s Jaden Ivey, or a combination of veteran role players.
Schroder’s brilliance in EuroBasket only makes the case more tantalizing for Pistons fans. No doubt many are now thinking that their team should’ve tried harder to bring him back. However, it’s worth noting that Schroder has a history of playing better in EuroBasket than in the NBA.
You can definitely debate the main cause of that discrepancy, but it seems that Schroder consistently plays better when he has more freedom and confidence with the ball. Last season he played for a number of NBA teams, but his best stretch with the Brooklyn Nets, who were in the middle of a tanking season and let him be the primary ball handler.
Schroder did have some good moments with Detroit, especially in the playoffs, but he was not as good as his Brooklyn stint. On the Pistons, he did not have the same freedom as he was expected to back up Cade Cunningham, and defer to Cade whenever they shared the court together. In Brooklyn, no such primary star existed and he could do what he wanted.
On the German national team, it’s a similar story, especially now that Schroder has been playing internationally for so long. He is the unquestioned alpha of the team and gets the ball in crunch time and whatever other situation he wants. Theoretically, an NBA team could unlock that version of him if they were able to give him free rein in the same manner. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find an NBA team that lacks a primary option better than Schroder or future options who may one day develop into something superior.
Additionally, Schroder may have wanted more money than what the Pistons were willing to offer. The deal that he ultimately signed with Sacramento is a pretty hefty one (3 years and $44 million) and the Pistons may not have been willing to pay that much for a back up point guard. Schroder may have also desired a starting role, which the Pistons cannot offer him with their young stars.
Dennis Schroder has had a great summer and is now a certified legend in German basketball. However, as much as his international play dazzles, he’s not the same guy in the NBA and Pistons fans must remember that when they regret his departure.