Schroder is performing the way he should be. He is just back to his old self when he was offered a big contract in LA before. Hopefully, they retain him and offer him again a good contract after this season. And hopefully, he accepts it.
The Lakers are still lacking a role player, I think, that can push them to the playoffs. And their goal is not just entering playoffs, it is winning the chip. That is why they are paying premiums for AD, Westbrook, and Lebron. They have to make a move now or the only thing they will achieve is Lebron taking the scoring title.
In the last few games Schroder has been a key player for the Lakers, I would even dare to say that he is in one of his best phases.
Another important factor that I can say, is Schroder's consistency, he's been keeping a good rhythm for some time now, and scoring in most of the games he plays.
I have no doubt that AD is a huge lack for the Lakers.
I even speculate that this type of player who is having this gap in LAL is a good quality PF or C.
I believe, that situation of the Lakers being without quality PF or C, can be similar to the Cavs in previous seasons.
Cavaliers had several good players, unfortunately, Cavs at that time, it was the absence of a quality PF or C to help the team.
TT did a good job, but even so he was not that important player as AD is for the Lakers, another example is Kevin Love, he managed to play PF, but his defense was not very good, but in compensation his attack was good.