Dennis Schroder unlikely to sign extension by deadline, per report

When the Atlanta Hawks opted to deal longtime point guard Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers it was seen as a changing of the guard. However, the team may want to see how Dennis Schroder performs in the starters role before committing to a long-term extension.

ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reports that a deal is unlikely by the league’s October 31 deadline.

The Hawks gave Schroder some of what he wanted by trading away Jeff Teagueand clearing the way for the 23-year-old German to take over as Atlanta's starter at the point. Yet there's a sense that the Hawks, as high as they are on Schroder, prefer to see how he responds to his promotion before launching into ‎a new long-term arrangement.

Setting Schroder up to be the starter, remember, wasn't Atlanta's only motivation in dealing Teague to Indiana. The Hawks understandably didn't want to employ two point guards entering the final year of their respective contracts.

With no extension, the Hawks could issue Schroder a qualifying offer next summer thus making him a restricted free agent. That would give Atlanta the right to match any offer that Schroder might receive.

While the thought was there that Atlanta possibly could have saved some money with an extension now, it seems smart in this instance for Schroder to bet on himself.