Golden State is acquiring point guard Dennis Schroder in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for injured forward De’Anthony Melton, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Saturday. The trade is expected to be finalized Sunday when roster transactions are typically announced.
The Warriors, in need of an infusion of playmaking and scoring punch for their struggling offense, get it in 30-year-old Schroder, who is averaging 10.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 26.4 minutes per game this season for Brooklyn. Schroder, in his tenth season in the league, provides the Warriors with an accomplished veteran presence on their second unit and takes some of the pressure off their young core.
Meanwhile, for Brooklyn, acquiring Melton may signal a more deliberate effort to stockpile pieces for the future. Despite the presence of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Brooklyn is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a difficult road ahead. Getting younger core players may help create a longer competitive window, even if it doesn’t necessarily translate to more immediate success.
The trade seems to give both teams what they need at this point, although only time will tell if either can capitalize on the pieces they acquire. There is a good possibility that Golden State’takes on a player to surround the main core with. If he can not do that Golden State probably makes a trade as the season progresses.
The Warriors’ roster currently stands at 14 players under standard contracts, leaving them room to make additional moves. The team is still considering moves but thinks this is a useful start.