The Emirates NBA Cup semifinals are underway, and the Christmas Day games are only 10 days away, a sign of how quickly the season is progressing. At this point, we can begin to identify which teams are contenders (Celtics, Thunder, Cavaliers), which teams have disappointed (Sixers, Pelicans), and which teams need to make trades to turn their season around and become contenders (Lakers, Warriors). The Warriors have already started making moves by acquiring Dennis Schroder.
Is Schroder the Best Player the Warriors Could Trade For ?
According to insider Shams Charania – though I’m not sure if I should believe him after the criticism Jimmy Butler’s agent posted on “X” – the Warriors are finalizing a deal to acquire Brooklyn Nets point guard Dennis Schroder for De’Anthony Melton. The Warriors will also receive a second-round pick from the Nets and send three second-round picks to Brooklyn as part of the deal, sources said. Schroder, a FIBA World Cup champion and 2023 World Cup MVP, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 17th overall pick in the first round and will be playing for his eighth NBA team. Since his time with the Thunder from 2018-2020, he hasn’t managed to stay with one team for two full seasons.
The Warriors needed a player to complementStephen Curry, especially during his rest minutes, and Schroder seems like the right choice. However, the Warriors also need a pure scorer, as defense has been their strength this season, but outside of Curry, no other player on the team is averaging more than 18 points per game. In today’s offensive-heavy game, scoring is essential. While Schroder is averaging 18.4 points and a career-high 6.6 assists in 33.6 minutes per game this season, he’s not exactly known as a prolific scorer. Still, I think this move makes sense and comes at the right time for the Warriors.
Schroder’s first games with the Warriors before Christmas
It will be interesting to see how the Warriors adjust with Schroder and Curry sharing the court, or if Schroder was simply brought in to be traded for another player later. The Warriors have four games before they play the Lakers on Christmas Day, another team in desperate need of a trade, and all of those games are expected to be challenging.
First, they face the Mavericks tomorrow in what will be Klay Thompson’s second game against the Warriors. If you remember, Curry sealed the win in the first meeting with a dagger three-pointer that sent the Mavericks packing. The Warriors then visit Memphis for a tough matchup before heading to Minnesota to take on Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves. Their final game before Christmas is against the Pacers, a team known for its fast-paced style where high-scoring games are often the norm.