Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder returned to the team. The German-born Schroder has been dealing with visa issues that have kept him away from the team since the beginning of training camp.
Visa Issues
Schroder returned to Germany this offseason to participate in the Eurobasket Championship. He led the team in points and assists, averaging 22.1 points and 7.1 assists per game. The team finished in third place behind Spain and France.
Following the tournament, Schroder attempted to return to Los Angeles for training camp. Due to issues with his visa, he was forced to stay in Germany until the situation could be sorted out.
After weeks of waiting, Schroder was able to secure his visa and return to the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Before his return, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said that the team had been in contact with both Schroder and his entourage to coordinate workouts. They want to ensure that he is still in playing shape upon his return. Ham stated, “But Dennis is a high-level player, super duper competitor — and takes great care of himself. So it should be a quick turnaround with him getting in a rhythm.”
Now that Schroder is back in Los Angeles, he will undergo a physical with the team doctors. If the team clears him, he will likely get to play in the final two preseason games.
Second stint with the Lakers
Preseason is the time for teams to build chemistry and get familiar with each other’s style of play before the regular season starts. For Schroder, missing preseason could make things a little difficult, but he is quite familiar with the core of this team.
He was a member of the 2020 championship Lakers team. The 2022 Lakers roster has a much different look to it, than the 2020 team. But, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still the heart of the team.
Schroder signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Lakers this offseason. This contract comes nearly two years after he infamously turned down an $84 million contract from the Lakers. He claims that he is returning to Los Angeles to right the wrong he felt he did when he left originally.
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