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The Brooklyn Nets have committed to their rebuilding year by shipping away one of their top veterans.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nets are trading point guard Dennis Schröder to the Golden State Warriors exchange for De’Anthony Melton and a trio of second-round picks.
The trade will not be finalized until Schröder becomes trade-eligible on Sunday.
Schröder will then join a backcourt led by Steph Curry. Meanwhile in Brooklyn, Ben Simmons could slide back into the starting lineup from the reserves now that Schröder is out of the top five.
Here’s a look at both team’s projected rosters following the trade.
PG: Steph Curry, Dennis Schröder
SG: Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, Lindy Waters III
SF: Buddy Hield, Andrew Wiggins
PF: Jonathan Kuminga, Kyle Anderson
C: Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
PG: Ben Simmons, Shake Milton
SF: Cameron Johnson, Ziaire Williams
PF: Jalen Wilson, Trendon Watford
C: Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn had acquired Schröder as part of a deal with the Toronto Raptors at last season’s trade deadline, and he’s making $13 million in the final year of his contract.
The Warriors acquired Schröder’s early Bird rights in the trade and will be able to avoid salary cap restrictions when signing him to an extension, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Melton underwent season-ending surgery on his left ACL in November. He was also playing on an expiring contract after signing a one-year, $12.82 million deal with the Warriors this summer.
The trade allowed the Nets to increase their stockpile of second-round picks to 13, as noted by Marks. The Warriors held 2026, 2028, 2029 and 2030 second-round picks prior to the trade.
The Warriors, who were $533,659 below the first apron hard cap prior to the trade, are left $330,409 below the cap after the deal, according to Marks.
The Nets meanwhile were comfortably below the first apron before the deal, with $5.2 million in room prior to the trade, per Spotrac.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported on Dec. 10 that the Nets would only trade Schröder if they received a first-round pick in return, with a source telling him, “They’re not giving anyone away.” The Warriors managed to convince Brooklyn to let go of the 31-year-old with its offer.
A 12-year veteran, Schröder is in the midst of a strong campaign with averages of 18.4 points and 6.6 assists through 23 starts. His scoring average is his highest since the 2019-20 season when he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Schröder began his NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks in 2013 and has also suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. He helped lead Germany to a gold medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where he earned FIBA World Cup MVP honors.
By acquiring Schröder, the Warriors are getting a reliable floor general who is playing some of the best basketball of his career. He should be a solid addition alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green as Golden State chases a playoff spot this year.
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