December 15th 2024.
The Golden State Warriors have made a move to bolster their roster in the midst of the NBA's trade season. On Sunday morning, they officially acquired Dennis Schroder in a low-risk deal that involved second-round picks and salary filler. This is the first big move of trade season and it has been in the works for weeks.
The final details of the trade are as follows: the Warriors receive Dennis Schroder and a 2025 second-round pick, while the Nets receive De'Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and multiple second-round picks. The deal was initially reported on Saturday and went through on Sunday as soon as Melton became trade-eligible.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had been discussing potential moves with the front office for weeks, especially after the loss of Melton to a season-ending ACL tear. Kerr expressed his excitement about the trade, saying he's "thrilled" by it. He even joked about how Schroder has bested him on the court in the past, saying "if you can't beat him, join him."
Schroder fills a need for the Warriors as a late-game decision-maker and multi-level scorer from the backcourt. With an average of 18.4 points per game, he instantly becomes the team's third-best penetrator off the dribble, behind Steph Curry and Jonathan Kuminga. This is the ninth time in his career that Schroder has changed teams, and he brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the Warriors.
The Warriors have been struggling in crunch time and have been in need of another playmaker. Melton was filling that role before his injury, and Brandin Podziemski has had a tough start to the season. Schroder, on the other hand, is averaging a career-high 6.6 assists per game and shooting 38.7% from 3. He may be undersized at 6-foot-1, but he makes up for it with his long wingspan and tough on-ball defense against point guards.
Kerr sees Schroder as a valuable addition to the team, saying "he will fill what Melt was doing for us in terms of being able to play on or off the ball, excellent defender, long wingspan. He's a steals guy, force turnovers, pace. Everything that we need, we feel like he can provide."
While Schroder may struggle at finishing at the rim, he has a solid in-between game and is shooting 46% on all midrange shots this season. This makes him a valuable asset to the team, and Kerr believes he will fit perfectly next to Curry. Schroder's experience in big games also adds to his value, having played for the German national team and in 13 playoff series over the years.
He is expected to serve as Curry's primary backup and play alongside him in some lineups, including potentially in closing moments of games. Kerr did not define Schroder as a starter or reserve, but sees him as the "perfect fit" next to Curry.
Both Schroder and Melton are set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the year. While Melton fit in well with the Warriors in his short time with the team, using his contract to acquire reinforcements was a no-brainer for the front office. This move also allows the Warriors to hold onto their best trade assets, including Podziemski, Kuminga, and future first-round picks.
Schroder is set to arrive in the Bay Area for a physical on Monday and will practice with the team before their game against Memphis. Kerr believes the team's defense is already strong and should not be affected by this trade. In fact, Schroder's addition should only improve their defense, as he is an excellent defender. The area where the Warriors needed help was on offense, specifically in pick-and-roll situations. Schroder will provide much-needed help in this area.
Overall, the Warriors have made a calculated move to improve their roster without giving up too much. They are confident in their current defense and see Schroder as a valuable asset on the offensive end. Fans can look forward to seeing him in action soon, as he has already been assigned a locker at the Chase Center.
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