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Hawks Looking to Ink Schroder to New Deal
Monday, June 27
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported Atlanta is "committing to [Schroder] as its point guard of the future."
Schroder, 22, is eligible for an extension July 1. The Hawks may offer him a five-year contract as their designated player, with the exact maximum price being determined by the 2017-18 cap. His rookie extension can be up to 25 percent of the salary cap; Schroder will not be eligible as a Rose Rule player unless he wins the 2016-17 MVP.
Selected 17th overall in 2013, Schroder developed into one of the NBA's best bench guards. He averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists per game in 2015-16, finishing ninth in the Sixth Man of the Year award voting. The Hawks outscored opponents by 6.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor last season, per Basketball-Reference.com.
“In the future, I want to be a starting point guard,” Schroder said in May, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. “Everybody knows it. But in the situation I was this year, I was fine with it. I played my minutes, and I just tried to get better. When the coaching staff and everybody decides I get the team [and start], I’m going to be ready for it.”
Atlanta opened its starting point guard spot by trading Teague and acquiring the No. 12 pick, which it used on Baylor swingman Taurean Prince. Schroder is the only point guard on the roster, though the Hawks will look for a backup in free agency.
The German's increasing responsibility is likely why the Hawks are looking to make a long-term deal now. Having started 16 career games, Schroder's in no position to command a maximum contract. Even if Atlanta offers him something around $20 million per season—seemingly an overpay right now—it may look like a relative bargain if Schroder flourishes as a starter.
The NBA projected a $108 million cap for 2017-18 a year ago. With Shams Charania of The Vertical reporting a $94 million cap for next season—$2 million above projections—the 2017-18 number may even be low.
Schroder could then wind up commanding a starting maximum salary of around $25 million per season if he rewards Atlanta's faith.
