Golden State Warriors have recently made headlines with their acquisition of guard Dennis Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets. The trade, finalized on December 15, 2024, sent Schröder and one second-round pick to the Warriors, with De’Anthony Melton and three second-round draft picks heading back to Brooklyn. Despite having averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists during his tenure with the Nets, Schröder has faced challenges adapting to his new environment.
Schröder's initial games with Golden State have not reflected the impressive statistics he posted with his former team. After three games wearing the Warriors jersey, his performance showcases significant struggles. He is averaging just 7.7 points and 3.7 assists per game, displaying shooting woes with only 9% from the three-point line and 27.6% overall from the field. This stark decline has raised questions about his fit within the team dynamic, especially when paired with their star guard, Stephen Curry.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remains optimistic, stating, "It's [Schröder's] third game with us, so it's going to take some time." Kerr’s confidence has not wavered, as he believes Schröder's shooting struggles are temporary. "I love what I see from Dennis, just in terms of the ball pressure. I thought he did an excellent job defensively," Kerr added, emphasizing Schröder's contributions on the defensive end which were evident even if his offensive game was underwhelming at first glance.
While the Warriors are trying to integrate Schröder’s skills, they are currently finding themselves with only one win out of three games since the trade, losing 111-105 to the Indiana Pacers in their latest outing. Kerr expressed faith, noting, "He’s such a talented player and an impactful winner... It takes time, but it’ll happen quicker if he just relaxes and plays his game." For Warriors fans, it’s a waiting game as they look to see how Schröder's capabilities develop within their offensive system.
On the flip side, the Nets are also dealing with the fallout of losing Schröder, who provided significant scoring and playmaking. Since he left, the team has gone 1-3 and has struggled to find its flow, failing to score more than 101 points in any game. Nets forward Cam Johnson shared insights on the team's struggle to adapt without Schröder, saying, "We’re just trying to find our identity... We have just a different flow [without Dennis]."
While teams can often fall victim to such mid-season trades, the Nets are focusing on recovery. Johnson highlighted how the team has to reconstruct its approach. Point guard Ben Simmons has been adjusting to running the offense, but the absence of Schröder is palpable as the team seeks to regain its spark. Nets players are eager to find solutions and figure out the best scoring opportunities moving forward.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching on February 6, 2025, the Warriors still have time to evaluate Schröder’s impact before making additional adjustments to the roster. While recent results have not been encouraging, Kerr’s trust and Schröder’s potential both indicate there still may be brighter days on the horizon for the Warriors.
Schröder, known for his pick-and-roll mastery, is now challenged to mesh his game with the Warriors' read-and-react style, which leans on high ball movement and spacing. If successful, Schröder could significantly amplify the offensive capabilities of the Warriors alongside Curry, especially as he settles down after the initial trade shock. The dynamics between him and Curry will be instrumental moving forward as the team aims to solidify their playoff positioning.
Golden State, once believed to have championship aspirations, is under pressure to capitalize on the talent they have. The outcome of this trade could very well dictate how well they contend moving forward this season. Fans from both the Nets and Warriors will be watching closely as Schröder continues to adjust to his new role, hoping for improvement and stability as the season progresses.
