Amid trade rumors and speculations, the Golden State Warriors recently welcomed veteran guard Dennis Schroder. The deal involved sending De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for the German native.
The Brooklyn Nets are finalizing a deal to send guard Dennis Schroder and one second-round pick to the Golden State Warriors for De’Anthony Melton and three second-round picks, sources told ESPN. A dynamic playmaker and scorer arriving to the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/6NC4xcnKnc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 14, 2024
While Schroder’s arrival doesn’t significantly change Stephen Curry and crew’s fortunes, it lightens the load on the offensive end. The 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP is averaging 18.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on 45.2% shooting from the field so far.
Acquiring Schroder might implore the Warriors to make some critical decisions going forward, especially concerning Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield. Head coach Steve Kerr, who continues to play his 12-man rotation has a tough assignment ahead.
Dennis Schroder’s Impact on Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield
Dennis Schroder Added To Warriors Lineup
Currently seventh in the West with a 14-11 record, the Dubs have been struggling of late. If the Warriors wish to make the postseason, roster changes are paramount. A primary example of this is onboarding Schroder, known for his versatility, be it scoring or defending on the perimeter.
As the 12-year veteran gears up for his Warriors debut, it remains to be seen if Podziemski or Hield witness a decline in minutes. Considering Schroder’s skillset and experience, the 6-foot-1 guard is expected to have a meaty role.
Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield’s Season so Far
After an impressive rookie season with the Warriors, Podziemski’s sophomore year has fallen short of expectations. The 21-year-old is shooting 37.6% from the field, including 25.0% from the three-point line, which is a visible drop from his debut season’s numbers.
Nonetheless, Kerr believes Schroder’s entry would help ease the added responsibility on Podziemski. Addressing the media before Sunday’s game against the Mavericks, the Warriors coach discussed the impact Schroder would have on Podziemski’s participation.
“I think this will help Brandin. If you think about last year, he was playing next to Chris Paul and/or Steph (Curry) most of his minutes. This year, stepping into a primary ball handling role, that’s a much tougher job. I think this will actually help him settle into a more familiar role that he was in last year.”
The five-time NBA champion as a player further added,
“Again, you never know how this stuff plays out. There’s opportunity for everybody to step in and fit. We’ve got to find combinations that fit, that’s the main thing. We’re looking for two-way combinations. So, we’ll let it play out.”
Hield, who was traded to the Warriors during the offseason had a hot start to the season. His marksmanship also earned him a starting spot. While he hasn’t been the most consistent lately, the Bahamian is shooting 42.4% from beyond the arc this season.
Therefore, a reduction in his minutes may not be the wisest decision. Nevertheless, Kerr has been in the business long enough to know how to handle situations such as this.
Do the Warriors View Schroder as a Long-Term Bet?
Given the dynamic nature of the league, it won’t be wrong to assume that GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. views Schroder as a trade asset. The Bay Area franchise is looking to waste no time to make the most of Curry and Green’s prime.
The management did all in its capacity when it came to attempting to trade for Paul George with the Clippers in the summer but failed to do so. Recent reports have also hinted at big names like LeBron James and Jimmy Butler possibly joining forces with Chef Curry in the Bay.
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