The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly came close to snagging Atlanta Hawks' Dennis Schröder during last week's NBA trade deadline in a deal that fell through, and now the league's bottom-dwellers are said to be prepared to a maximum offer to the backup point guard when his contract expires in the summer of 2017.
The Sixers and Hawks are both looking to reorganize their rosters heading into the next season with different intentions. While Atlanta allegedly wants to replace its veteran players with new ones to possibly go on a different direction, the Sixers are merely building theirs, which is why they covet a young veteran like Schröder to provide leadership in the locker room.
Schröder is only 22 years old but is already in his third season in the NBA. By the 2017-2018 season, he will be in his fifth year in the league and Philadelphia are perhaps thinking that by that time he is ready to spearhead a squad.
Fansided reported that the Sixers want the 6-foot-1 German so much that they are willing to offer him a max contract when he becomes a restricted free agent by summer 2017.
Philadelphia might have perceived what Atlanta has always seen in the young floor general and so they are ready to splurge out that much cash just to lure 17th overall pick of the 2013 draft.
Of course, the Hawks still has the upper hand when that time comes a year from now as they can offer the richest contract to Schröder. This only means that if Atlanta really believes he is the point guard of their future, then they will have to be prepared to pay up to keep him, just like the Sixers allegedly are.
Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey indicated that the Haws turned down a generous proposal from the Sixers at the trade deadline for Schröder.
Pompey said that Philadelphia "offered a package that included shooting guard Nik Stauskas, point guard Ish Smith, and a 2016 first-round pick" to Atlanta for Jeff Teague's backup but it was declined by the Hawks. The Sixers tried to add another player with an expiring contract, but it was again rejected.
This just shows how Atlanta really values Schröder and the potential that the team believes he has in the long run.