San Francisco – The Golden State Warriors are eager about their recent acquisition of Dennis Schroder, seeing him as an ideal partner to enhance Stephen Curry’s game. Curry expressed enthusiasm about integrating Schroder into the team, anticipating a “seamless transition.” He remarked, “It can help me, it can help us. What helps me helps us.”
The Warriors secured Schroder in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that was finalized on Sunday. This deal involved sending injured guard De’Anthony Melton and Reece Beekman to the Nets. The franchise is excited to utilize Schroder’s talents on both offense and defense, focusing on his ability to attack the basket and provide a vigorous defensive presence. “I just love his competitive nature. He’s got that Dawg in him, and you can kind of tell,” Curry added. He emphasized that Schroder, though not overly vocal, displays intense energy and a fierce competitive spirit.
Schroder is set to join his new teammates on Monday for a physical exam and participate in a few practices before their matchup against Memphis on Thursday. Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr expressed his excitement, stating, “I told Dennis today he’s kicked my (butt) on three different continents. You can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” He praised Schroder’s performance during the playoffs against the Warriors in 2022 with the Lakers and noted his effectiveness during the FIBA competitions over the last two summers.
Kerr mentioned that discussions regarding Schroder’s role within the team are in the works, suggesting the possibility of him being a starter, especially since the team has been frequently altering their starting lineups. The trade was agreed upon Saturday, but it couldn’t be officially executed until Sunday due to league regulations regarding the eligibility of contracts.
In addition to the players involved, the trade included a number of second-round draft picks. The Warriors are set to receive a second-round pick next year, while the Nets will gain several future second-round selections from Golden State.
This season, Schroder has averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists while playing for the 10th-place Nets in the Eastern Conference. However, the trade doesn’t bring immediate benefits to Brooklyn as Melton is recovering from ACL surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Kerr acknowledged the challenge of losing Melton, thanking him and Beekman for their contributions and commitment to the team. He highlighted that Schroder will help fill the void left by Melton, bringing skills to play both on and off the ball as an excellent defender with a long wingspan.
Beekman had a limited impact on the Warriors, scoring just two points in two games this season. The addition of Schroder provides the Warriors with another scoring option alongside Curry, who leads the league in three-point shooting. This season, Schroder has been productive, making an average of 2.5 three-pointers per game and boasting a career-high 39% shooting percentage from the arc.
For Schroder, this marks his eighth team in twelve NBA seasons, having played with franchises such as Atlanta, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Toronto, and Houston before his time with Brooklyn. He also played a key role in helping Germany clinch the title at the 2023 Basketball World Cup. Dallas coach Jason Kidd described the acquisition as an excellent move for the Warriors, noting that Schroder is a seasoned veteran who understands the dynamics of winning in the league.