How One NBA Star Cost Himself SEVENTY EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS Is The Biggest Sports Blunder Ever..

Toronto Raptors point guard Dennis Schröder found himself in a regrettable situation after a significant decision led to a substantial financial setback. In 2021, Schröder had a lucrative $84 million deal from the Los Angeles Lakers on the table, but against his better judgment, he followed the advice of his agents and turned it down.

Choosing not to accept the four-year, $84 million offer from the Lakers, Schröder opted instead for a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics worth a mere $5.9 million. This decision cost him a staggering $78 million, a move that raised eyebrows across the basketball community.

Interestingly, a year later, Schröder did join the Lakers, but at a considerably reduced salary of just $2.6 million, as reported by Spotrac. Despite the diminished contract, Schröder’s financial woes continued.

Before the 2023-24 season, Schröder signed a two-year, $25.4 million contract with the Toronto Raptors. However, even factoring in the $13 million he will earn in 2025, his total contract earnings fall significantly short of the original $84 million deal he rejected from the Lakers. It’s a substantial financial blow, amounting to less than half of what he could have secured.

In hindsight, Schröder acknowledges the role of his representation, specifically his agent at the time, Alex Saratsis of Octagon, in steering him away from the Lakers’ offer. Expressing regret, Schröder told Yahoo, “I would have signed it. I would never just leave money on the table. My mom didn’t raise me that way.”

The repercussions of this decision weighed heavily on Schröder, describing the two years following the rejected deal as “like my two worst years of my career.” In response to the setback, he made a significant change in his representation, parting ways with Octagon and bringing on Mark Bartlestein of Priority Sports, according to Sports Illustrated.

While Schröder’s aversion to living in California could be understood as a factor in his decision, the irony arises when he eventually returned to Los Angeles, albeit for substantially less money. The turn of events raises questions about the decision-making process and the impact of financial choices on a professional athlete’s career. Ultimately, Schröder’s journey serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of informed decision-making and the potential long-term consequences of rejecting substantial financial opportunities.



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