Kings Reportedly Dennis Schroder's 'Leading Suitor' in NBA FA amid Pistons Rumors
In search of backcourt depth for next season, the Sacramento Kings are keeping an eye on Dennis Schröder leading into free agency.
Per NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Kings are considered a "leading suitor" for the 31-year-old after he finished the 2024-25 season with the Detroit Pistons.
Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon told reporters on Tuesday they would like to retain all of their own free agents and have been in contact with all of them since their season ended.
"We have stated that we are interested, and they're interested in us. But again, agents have to do their job for their players, survey the market and see what's there, and hopefully we can come to a resolution in bringing those guys back," Langdon said. "But we have to do our due diligence as well, in case they choose another destination."
The Pistons' key free agents include Schröder, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. Bringing back all three would seem to create a logjam with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey entrenched as the starters in Detroit's backcourt.
As for the Kings, their backcourt depth behind Malik Monk and Zach LaVine isn't as strong. Devin Carter, the No. 13 pick in the 2024 draft, didn't show much as a rookie with 3.8 points per game in 36 appearances.
Schröder has shown the ability to be a quality backup point guard in many different situations. The cost to sign him will be interesting to see when his deal comes out, with Stein and Fischer noting his price is expected to start at the non-taxpayer midlevel exception of $14.1 million.
The Kings are one of 12 teams that have the full midlevel available to spend this offseason. Their approach in free agency will be designed toward getting them over the hump in the Western Conference after a disappointing 40-42 record last season.
Schröder split time with the Pistons, Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets during the 2024-25 campaign. He averaged 13.1 points and 5.4 assists per game in 75 appearances.
