I’ve rarely been as right about anything as I was about Dennis Schroder and the Detroit Pistons.
I’d been lobbying into the wind for Schroder for a couple of seasons, as I thought he would be the perfect veteran backup point guard, a guy who hits big shots, has big game experience, and could help close out games at the free-throw line.
The Pistons finally listened (not really) and it didn’t take long for Schroder to show his value, which continued as he played a crucial role in Detroit’s playoff run and eventually their first-round series with the Knicks.
Schroder is one of four key free agents for the Pistons this offseason along with Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Paul Reed and Detroit is unlikely to bring all of them back.
And they shouldn’t, as running it back with the exact same team is a recipe for disaster, as the Pistons got career years out of some of these guys and had favorable injury luck that they may not be able to replicate.
This is all complicated by the return of Jaden Ivey, who may make the Pistons’ decision a little easier.
When Jaden Ivey returns, do the Pistons need Dennis Schroder?
One of the biggest what ifs from the 2024-25 season is what might have happened if Jaden Ivey had been healthy.
He went out in January with a broken leg and the Pistons excelled with Ausar Thompson in the starting lineup, building the defensive identity that would eventually carry them to the playoffs.
But Ivey should be back next season, which is a good thing, as the Pistons missed his scoring in the playoffs.
So what does his return mean for Schroder?
Schroder can still play and is not yet at the point of his career when he slides into a third point guard role. Schroder is a competitor who is going to want to be on the floor for 25+ minutes a game, a role the Pistons may not be able to offer him once Jaden Ivey returns.
If the Pistons view Ivey as a guy that can and should run the offense when Cade Cunningham is on the bench, then that leaves scant remaining minutes for Schroder.
However, before we push Schroder out the door, I’ll remind you that all of these things were true this season and Schroder ended up playing a key role. It only takes one injury for the guard depth to suddenly look not so deep.
It may seem like overkill to bring back Schroder, but it wouldn’t if there was an injury. Schroder also showed that he can play with another lead guard and is comfortable off the ball.
It’s a tough call for the Pistons, as they will need a veteran point guard, but the question is whether they can afford Schroder to be that guy when the initial role they have to offer may not be one suited to a player who is still a quality backup point guard.