One of the Detroit Pistons’ biggest offseason departures has been Dennis Schroder. The veteran point guard, who the Pistons acquired at the trade deadline last season, suited up with Detroit for the final 28 games of the regular season and every game of the first-round series against the Knicks before deciding to sign with the Kings this offseason. His departure has left a void at backup point guard on the roster and many fans fondly remember his contributions last season, but we may be overrating his impact.
The Detroit Pistons can replace Dennis Schroder's impact
Schroder started the season incredibly hot with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 18 points on blistering 45/39/89 shooting splits in 23 games before being traded. He would eventually find his way to Detroit and in those final games of the regular season averaged 10.8 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from the field and 30 percent from three.
Dennis “the Menace” was much better in the playoffs, but many fans overrate his importance due to a hot shooting streak in that first round series. In the playoffs, his averages jumped to 12.5 points while shooting 49 percent from the field and an inexplicable 47 percent from three. Schroder is certainly a better shooter than his regular-season numbers with the Pistons indicated, but 47 percent is a clear anomaly that no one can expect him to match again. Just as we don’t expect Cade Cunningham to only shoot 18 percent from three in the playoffs again, we shouldn’t judge Schroder’s impact entirely off of shooting 47 percent from three in a limited sample.
Now let’s compare Schroder to the man that fans have labeled as his spiritual heir to the veteran backup point guard role on the Pistons: Caris LeVert. Last season, LeVert split his time between the Cavaliers and Hawks. I think it’s fairer to look at his time in Atlanta because Cleveland’s offense was on a historic pace during his time there and almost every player’s 3-point shooting looked like an anomaly.
Suiting up for the Hawks for the final 26 games of the season, LeVert averaged 15 points and three assists while shooting 48 percent from the field and 34 percent from three. The numbers are comparable to Schroder's in Detroit, arguably much better efficiency but less playmaking. It is worth noting that LeVert did not fully play the point guard role like Schroder does, so his assist numbers can increase if coach J.B. Bickerstaff puts the ball in his hands more.
Dennis Schroder was a key departure this offseason, but many fans view his role through rose-colored glasses after a spontaneous playoff hot streak. Zooming out to this entire time in Detroit, he won’t be missed as much as initially thought and the Pistons should have more than enough to replace his impact.