One of the biggest storylines of the NBA's 2021 free agency was Dennis Schroder betting on himself and losing out on nearly $80 million in the process. The point guard reportedly turned down the Los Angeles Lakers' four-year, $84 million contract extension, believing he could earn a more lucrative deal by hitting the open market.
However, Schroder didn't receive the offer he was expecting and the Lakers upgraded with Russell Westbrook. Eventually, the market dried up for Schroder and he ended up signing a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics for $5.9 million.
NBA Twitter posted countless jokes about Schroder's plan backfiring. Even NBA media personalities criticized his decision, which cost him tens of millions. The guard's wife, Ellen Schroder, responded to her husband's critics in her Instagram Story and applauded Dennis for staying "true to himself."
"I'm so proud of my husband that he made this decision to stay true to himself and to fight for his goals and his vision!" she wrote. "I know not everyone [understands] this…they would choose money before anything else…but let me tell you: show some love, be patient and watch what will happen next."
