Raptors officially sign Dennis Schröder to multi-year contract

The Toronto Raptors officially signed point guard Dennis Schröder to a multi-year contract on Wednesday.

While financial terms were not made available, it was reported on June 30 that Schröder had agreed to a two-year, $26-million contract with the Raptors.

Toronto pivoted to sign Schröder after long-time Raptors guard Fred VanVleet joined the Houston Rockets on a reported three-year, $128.5 million deal, which includes a team option for the 2025-26 season.

Raptors President Masai Ujiri called Schröder, who turns 30 in September, “fierce, creative, and above all, competitive.”

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“We’re excited to welcome Dennis to Toronto and are looking forward to seeing him on the Scotiabank Arena court,” Ujiri said.

With VanVleet’s departure and the new additions of 13th overall draft pick Gradey Dick and free agent Jalen McDaniels, the Raptors are suddenly one of the younger teams in the NBA. Otto Porter Jr., Thad Young and Chris Boucher are the only current players 30 or older.

“Having young guys, a couple of veterans, I think we can compete,” Schröder said. “I am there to lead, lead the team and try to make sure the young guys get better and compete [at] the highest level.”

Schröder, a German native entering his 11th season in the NBA, most recently played for the Los Angeles Lakers, appearing in 66 games (50 starts) while averaging 12.6 points per game, 4.5 assists per game and 2.5 rebounds per game. He shot 32 per cent from three-point range and a shot 85 per cent from the free-throw line.

The Raptors will be Schröder’s sixth NBA team after the veteran guard appeared with the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Lakers.

New Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic coached Schröder in 2018-19 when he was an assistant with the Thunder. That was one of Schröder’s most complete statistical seasons as a guard in the NBA, as he finished with 15.5 points per game, 4.1 assists per game and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 34 per cent from three.

“Darko called me and told me what his plans are and what he’s trying to accomplish,” Schröder added. “That was perfect for me.”