Dennis Schroder: Suspended, Involved in Fight, and the $84 Million Contract Fumble
Dennis Schroder’s name has resurfaced in NBA headlines — not for a buzzer-beater or a clutch assist, but for a suspension following an off-court confrontation and fresh scrutiny over one of the league’s most talked-about contract decisions.
This article dives deep into:
What led to Schroder’s suspension
The fight incident
The long-running saga over an $84 million Lakers contract
How it all affects his legacy
Expert takes and fan reactions
FAQs every NBA fan wants answered
Let’s break down the drama around one of the NBA’s most polarizing figures.
1. The Suspension: What Happened?
Dennis Schroder, now a veteran point guard for the Sacramento Kings, was suspended for three NBA games following an altercation with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić after Sacramento’s 125-101 loss at the Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025.
According to league officials and multiple reports:
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The confrontation didn’t occur during the game itself but about 40 minutes after the final buzzer.
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Schroder reportedly sought out Dončić in a hallway and tried to strike him, leading to the suspension.
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Security and Lakers center Deandre Ayton intervened before the situation could escalate further.
The NBA’s decision to suspend Schroder without pay underscores how seriously it treats any escalation beyond in-game scuffles. Postgame confrontations in non-competitive settings are judged far more harshly, as they can threaten player safety.
2. What Sparked the Fight? The Dončić Exchange
Tensions between Schroder and Dončić simmered throughout the game. The tipping point appears to be a heated verbal exchange, including trash talk from Dončić that referenced Schroder’s previous contract situation — specifically a reported four-year, $84 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers that Schroder didn’t sign.
Dončić was heard taunting Schroder with lines like:
“You should’ve signed that contract, baby.”
That comment struck a nerve, reigniting public and media discussions about Schroder’s past contract decisions.
3. The $84 Million Contract Controversy
Perhaps one of the most enduring narratives around Schroder isn’t about his playmaking, but a contract decision that altered the trajectory of his career.
The Reported Offer
In 2021, while Schroder was with the Lakers, it was widely rumored that the franchise offered him a four-year, $84 million contract extension — a substantial sum for a starting point guard.
However, Schroder has repeatedly denied that a finalized offer ever existed, asserting that:
“There never was a contract… never rejected anything.”
Discrepancies between media reports and Schroder’s perspective have made this one of the NBA’s biggest contract “what-ifs.”
What Actually Happened
According to reporting and insiders:
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Lakers management and Schroder’s representatives discussed an extension mid-season.
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Schroder reportedly opted to wait until free agency to negotiate a potentially larger deal.
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Instead, once free agency arrived, other teams were less interested, and Schroder signed a modest one-year deal worth $5.9 million with the Boston Celtics.
This resulted in an estimated gap of more than $80 million compared to what that extension might have been worth — and became fodder for memes, jabs, and plenty of NBA discourse.
4. The Impact on Schroder’s Career
The contract saga became part of Schroder’s public persona — often referred to as “fumbled the bag” in social media conversations. It’s even come up in real NBA games, as witnessed in the Dončić trash-talk incident.
Schroder himself tried to embrace the narrative at times, posting on social media and inviting fans to joke about the situation — an attempt to take control of the narrative.
But whether intentional or not, that contract decision has followed him:
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Opponents tease him about it on the court.
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Fans continue to debate whether he should have locked in the deal.
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Some analysts argue the choice impacted his long-term earnings and team stability.
Did It Change His Legacy?
For some, yes. A potential $84 million contract is life-changing, and passing it up only to sign a relatively small one makes for one of the most infamous decisions in recent NBA free agency history.
But others point out:
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Schroder played for major teams after that — including the Celtics and now the Kings — and remained a valuable rotation guard.
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Basketball legacy isn’t built by dollars alone, and on-court performance still matters.
Ultimately, the $84 million contract fumble — real or perceived — remains a defining aspect of the Schroder story.
5. Context: Schroder’s Role With the Kings
This isn’t the first time Schroder has been in headlines for reasons other than scoring. Now with the Sacramento Kings, he’s had an up-and-down season:
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Averaging solid counting stats with points and assists.
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The Kings are struggling in the standings, adding pressure on veteran leadership.
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His suspension comes at a pivotal time for a team trying to climb out of a slump.
A three-game absence not only affects team rotations but also casts a spotlight on discipline and maturity in high-stakes environments. Dennis Schroder.
6. Reactions: Fans, Analysts, and the League
The reaction to this entire situation has been mixed:
NBA Fans
Social media has been aflame with debate:
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Some fans criticize Schroder for letting emotions get the best of him.
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Others argue Dončić had no business taunting him about the contract.
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Many see the whole episode as another chapter in the “fumbled contract” saga.
Analysts and Insiders
NBA analysts have weighed in on:
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The severity of post-game conduct and why the league handed down a suspension.
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How contracts — reported or real — can define narratives.
League Officials
The NBA clearly took the incident seriously, citing the need to maintain:
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Player safety
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Professional conduct
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Separation between competitive play and off-court actions
7. Lessons From Schroder’s Story
Dennis Schroder’s journey offers multiple takeaways:
A. Professional Conduct Matters
No matter how intense the moment, players are expected to maintain composure after the final whistle.
B. Narrative Can Outlive Performance
Even elite athletes are often remembered for key off-court decisions, and fans rarely forget.
C. Contracts Are More Than Money
Whether a contract was actually offered or not, perception can shape careers just as much as reality.
D. Resilience Is Critical
Schroder continues to compete, regardless of past headlines — and now has an opportunity to write a new chapter post-suspension. Dennis Schroder.
8. What’s Next for Schroder and the Kings?
Schroder will miss:
Games against the Houston Rockets
A rematch with the Lakers
A showdown with the New York Knicks
He’s eligible to return after the Kings’ next few matchups, but his absence could affect team chemistry and momentum.
As for Schroder himself:
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He’ll need composure in future games.
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He’ll likely address the contract narrative again — whether personally or through team media.
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His play and leadership will be under more scrutiny than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why was Dennis Schroder suspended?
A: He was suspended for three NBA games for confronting and attempting to strike Luka Dončić about 40 minutes after a loss, not for in-game conduct.
Q2: Was the altercation during or after a game?
A: The confrontation happened after the game, in a hallway near player areas.
Q3: What is the $84 million contract fumble?
A: It refers to a reported four-year, $84 million contract extension with the Lakers that Schroder did not sign — a decision that later became a major talking point.
Q4: Did Schroder actually turn down the contract?
A: Schroder claims there was never a formal contract to reject, while media reports say he opted not to finalize it.
Q5: How much money did Schroder sign for instead?
A: After leaving the Lakers, he signed a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics.
Q6: What games will he miss due to suspension?
A: Schroder will miss at least three upcoming Kings matchups, including against the Houston Rockets and his former Lakers team.
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