Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder played briefly during the preseason after being stuck overseas due to a visa issue, but he has not yet played during the regular season.
He suffered a thumb injury prior to the start of the schedule. At the time, the Lakers indicated he would be reevaluated after three weeks.
The Lakers could surely use his ability to increase the game tempo, be a scoring threat, get others involved and bother opposing ball-handling guards on the defensive end.
Schroder is nearing the initial projected reevaluation point, and he is already getting some work done on the court, with his injured hand nonetheless.
Dennis Schroder getting in some work. He’s 10 days or so away pic.twitter.com/DQN7GvPs50
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) November 1, 2022
We’re seeing Dennis Schröder do individual work with Phil Handy, including dribbling and shooting with his injured right hand, after practice today. Darvin Ham says he hasn’t been cleared for contact yet, but he’s about “a week to 10 days out.”
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) November 1, 2022
Lakers clarify this is merely an estimate, he’s scheduled to be evaluated in a week: https://t.co/sSCJYQmVs1
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) November 1, 2022
Once Schroder returns, it will pose an interesting choice for head coach Darvin Ham. At that point, the team will have a logjam in the backcourt, particularly involving small guards.
Schroder, Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook will need and likely deserve considerable playing time, and Ham will have to figure out a way to manage the situation.