Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder is facing punishment from the NBA.
On January 10, the Sacramento Kings guard was informed that he would be suspended for the next three games for “attempting to strike another player,” according to the official announcement.
It was later revealed that the player was LA Lakers star, Luka Doncic.
An ESPN report offered some details on the situation, revealing that Schroder took issue with the choice words Doncic used on the court during their viral back-and-forth.
Eventually, the situation was broken up by security and LA big man Deandre Ayton.
Paul Pierce Speaks on the Incident
Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce saw the initial clip, where Luka Doncic taunted Dennis Schroder for missing out on signing a reported four-year, $84 million extension with the Lakers in 2021.
The ex-star guard understood Schroder’s level of frustration.
“You’re talking about a man’s paper!” Pierce said about the incident.
“That’s a sensitive subject, because he lost out on a lot of money. You don’t want to hear that. He’s making money now, but that was his payback. He missed it. … That stings! I got to stand on this, that’s almost like messing with somebody’s girl or something. Like, when you talk about a dude’s paper like that.”
Schroder took a gamble at the time, hoping for higher offers on the open market. He ended up getting less than $6 million for one season.
While Schroder recently signed a notable $44 million contract with the Kings, it took several seasons of switching teams and changing roles before earning a payday that’s still significantly less than the one he was offered in LA.
Doncic seemingly hit him where it hurt verbally. Now, Schroder has to face a short-term suspension without pay.