Dennis Schröder and Scott Perry at a press conference on Tuesday introducing the new Kings PG. (Photo: Sacramento Kings on X)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
SACRAMENTO–Dennis Schröder sat behind the microphone in Sacramento with the confidence of a man who’s seen it all — from playoff runs to deadline trades — and finally found the place that values him for what he brings to the table.
“I’m always giving everything I have every single day, every single practice, every single game,” Schröder said in his introductory press conference. “I always try to leave it all out there. So I’m extremely, extremely happy to be here, to be a part of the Sacramento Kings moving forward, to try to set a culture, and yeah, I’m really, really, really grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”
For a Kings franchise looking to establish sustained success, the fit was immediate according to general manager Scott Perry. Perry opened his press conference by reinforcing why the team made Schröder its top target in free agency.
“He is very tough, energetic. He plays the point guard position really with no fear,” Perry said. “He really fills a need for us — another building block as we move forward… Dennis not only is a great basketball player, but he’s the type of person that we desire to have in this organization.”
Schröder’s journey to Sacramento comes after a whirlwind two-year stretch that saw him suit up for five different teams, adapting to new systems, roles, and expectations. That road — filled with both challenge and growth — helped shape a veteran presence that the Kings were attracted to.
“It means a lot,” Schröder said. “I’ve been 12 years in this league now, 31, got three kids, my wife… to have a GM and the organization prioritize me as their point guard means the world to me. I want to give it back.”
That commitment — the belief the Kings placed in him — is something he hadn’t felt in years. He described his previous stops as professional and positive, but not quite the full investment Sacramento seems to be offering.
“Before Brooklyn, Detroit, all those teams, I always felt great. Not disrespecting anyone, but to have this commitment from the organization, from Scott — that is what I didn’t have the last couple of years,” he said. “And I always say, I’m going to make sure I repay them… It’s a big opportunity for me, for the organization, for the team to be great.”
The opportunity in Sacramento comes with more than just a likely starting role. It comes with a responsibility — a chance to set the tone for the team’s culture and identity under Scott Perry. Perry’s vision for the Kings centers around his six pillars: competitive, tough, team-oriented, disciplined, accountable, and professional. According to Perry, Schröder checks all the boxes.
“From where I’m from and how I learned and grew up playing the game — a place like Detroit, Michigan — this guy embodies that,” Perry said. “You pick up 94 feet, you’re very combative in a good way on the court. And so that just really resonated with not only my personality but Coach Christie’s personality, our entire organization and what we’re building here.”
The Kings, who missed the playoffs the last two seasons after a breakthrough with Beam Team One, bring on Schröder as the replacement for De’Aaron Fox as the team’s presumed starting point guard. Granted, that does not seem ideal. However, the 31-year-old views this moment not as a detour but as a pinnacle opportunity.
“To be a starting point guard in the NBA, I think you can’t ask for more,” Schröder said. “To go out there every single night, to establish a culture, how we want to play — and like Scott said, to be the leader, to make sure we do it every single night… that’s all you can ask for.”
His future backcourt chemistry with stars like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan is yet to be seen (assuming they are on the roster come training camp),, but perhaps the most intriguing pairing is with center Domantas Sabonis — the Kings’ offensive hub since the Tyrese Haliburton trade.
“He’s unique. How he pushes the pace, when he gets the rebound, gluing everybody together, hitting people backdoor cuts… great passes, really physical big,” Schröder said. “He sets screens great in the pocket, can shoot it… I mean, he’s unique, so I’m really looking forward to competing with him.”
Schröder also expressed admiration for the Sacramento fan base when asked by CBS 13’s Brandon Banitez about his experience playing on the road at Golden 1 Center.
“The fans is the first thing what comes to mind when you hear the Sacramento Kings — always loud,” Schröder said. “Every time when Keegan Murray scored, I kind of liked that [the Keegan Murray chant],… I was having a smile on my face.”
Whether or not the Kings are done making moves this summer remains to be seen. However, when Schröder was asked if he has anything to prove?
“I got my own legacy. Every year, every day when I wake up, I try to be 1% better,” Schröder said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in basketball, in life. I just try to be great every single day… I don’t have to prove anything.”
The new-look Sacramento Kings certainly have something to prove. Time will tell if Dennis makes the type of impact Scott Perry needs from him en route to accomplishing the stated goal: sustained success.
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