Mannix: Schroder a ‘potentially offseason-saving deal' for C's

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The Boston Celtics made their biggest splash of the offseason on Tuesday, signing veteran point guard Dennis Schroder to a one-year contract.

Schroder's deal reportedly is for the $5.9 million mid-level exception, which is extremely team-friendly considering the Los Angeles Lakers offered him an $84 million contract earlier this summer. The Germany native rounds out the Celtics' backcourt, and he could either serve as the sixth man or be the team's starting point guard in 2021-22.

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Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix believes the signing may have turned around an otherwise disappointing offseason for Boston.

"I think this is a potentially offseason-saving deal," Mannix said Tuesday on NBC Sports Boston. "I thought it was only a matter of weeks before we were having a discussion during the season about where was the offense going to come from outside of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Now you have an answer to that question.

"Schroder is an immensely talented offensive player. He did it as a third guard in Oklahoma City two years ago, he did it with the Lakers in spurts last season. One thing I point you to is look at the numbers that Schroder put up and how the Lakers played when they were healthy with Schroder, LeBron [James] and Anthony Davis all on the floor. They were monsters when those three guys were healthy and playing well.

"Schroder had a tough end to last season largely due to the COVID infection he suffered, but this guy can absolutely play. Whether it's as a first guard off the bench or as a starter, which I still think is a possibility, he is going to have a major impact on this Celtics team."

In 61 games last season, Schroder averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 43.7 percent from the field. He joins Marcus Smart, Payton Pritchard and Kris Dunn on the C's point guard depth chart.

Hear everything Mannix had to say in the video above.

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