[Saba Sports News] Dennis Schroder is set to join the Toronto Raptors for the upcoming season, and he attributes his choice to head coach Darko Rajakovic. Schroder recently discussed his decision to join the Raptors on NBA Today, highlighting his longstanding friendship with Coach Rajakovic.
Schroder recalled, “I think Darko, the head coach, this is his first year as a head coach as well. I met him five years ago in OKC. We became friends, and I liked how he was coaching myself and the team, and he called me right away when he took over.”
Schroder believes that the Raptors’ system aligns perfectly with his style of play. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I definitely said to my agent, I said ‘I wanna be there, I wanna be part of that.’ I think it’s a great fit just to play like the national team type. Handle the ball a little bit more, go out and run, on the defensive end, active… I think it’s a great fit.”
Schroder had previously played under Coach Rajakovic during the 2018-19 season when Rajakovic was an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their strong rapport and compatible playing style influenced Schroder’s decision to join the Raptors.
Despite Schroder’s successful stint with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, where he played a crucial role in reaching the Western Conference Finals, he ultimately chose the Raptors for the upcoming season.