The “Fumbled the Bag” Dilemma

“Fumbled the bag.” A phrase highlighting players who had the opportunity to cash in on their play on the court but declined the money to prove they are worth more than what they were originally offered.

NBA players and their agents should not be ashamed of getting the most money they can possibly get but should not be projecting what they can be long-term. Instead, it should be the other way around, where the players secure their money first and then prove to their team that they are worth their contract.

We, as NBA fans, like to bash these players for not securing their well-earned money. Two recent players’ situations may seem to fit this.

Dennis Schröder

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After finishing second in the Sixth Man of the Year award voting in the 2019-20 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Schröder was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers to be the starting point guard for the then-defending NBA champions.

Schröder averaged 15.4 points per game and 5.8 assists during the 2020-21 season with the Lakers. At one point during the season, Schröder was offered a four-year, $84 million contract extension that he then declined.

This did not turn out well for Schröder, as his one-year play with the Lakers did not attract a lot of suitors in the offseason. He signed with the Boston Celtics for one year, $5.9 million the following year but was later traded to the Houston Rockets during the season.

Now, Schröder is back with the Lakers for this upcoming season as he signed a one-year, $2.64 million contract to back up starting point guard Russell Westbrook.

Miles Bridges 

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The case for Bridges is he was going to be paid this offseason. After posting 20.2 points and seven rebounds per game this past season with the Charlotte Hornets, Bridges was set to get paid. However, the speculation of where he will play next season was quickly forgotten due to his actions off the court.

Bridges were arrested earlier this year on July 29 for felony domestic violence after an incident with his partner led to physical abuse.

These two recent examples indicate how fumbling the bag has created this narrative of players securing generation wealth now rather than later. Of course, unforeseen moments can happen, like the Bridges situation. But then again, it is the player’s decision, and they will live off it.