Dennis Schroder's career year is a big reason why the Nets have fared better than expected. And why he could play himself right off the roster.
The Nets were rebuilding, becoming the worst team in basketball and expected to win the lottery's catbird seat.
Instead, Schroder's leadership has them in direct contention for the play-in, with teams across the NBA inquiring about the veteran floor general's services.
“He's the head of the snake. He's our point guard. He's always calm, calm and collected and helps us be that,” Dorian Finney-Smith said of Schroder. “He's been playing great ball and flying it. … He's been making some good plays.”
That's enough to draw attention to the trade market, which begins in earnest on Sunday, when 80 players signed in the summer can be moved.
But the Nets' demands for Schroder are not low, and likely include a first-round pick.
“They won’t budge on anyone,” a source told the Post.
Schroder is averaging 18.6 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 38.5 percent from deep and 88.9 percent from the charity stripe.
Everything except points is a career high, as are steals, effective field goal percentage and true shooting.
On Sunday against Milwaukee, Schroder had 34 points, 11 assists and no turnovers while holding Damian Lillard to 2-of-7 shooting with seven turnovers. He is the only player in the league to score at least 30 points, have at least 10 assists, and have zero turnovers in a game all season.
“He was great,” Nick Claxton said. “[Schroder] It was in
He's a veteran point guard and we all rally behind him because he's been in the league for so many years. ”
So Schroder, along with his pesky 94-foot defense and fiery vocal leadership, has helped keep the Nets competitive. Too competitive for some people.
If this season ends, the Nets will draft No. 15, which is far from the expectations of some fans who are happy with Tank.
However, Schröder's departure would drastically change their outlook, as they are currently three games out of the bottom five.
Schroder missed only two games, with Ben Simmons starting both games.
Simmons is always an injury concern, and Shake Milton and Cam Thomas are the only players Jordi Fernandez uses in real time at the point.
“When they come, he's full of energy. He's competing every second,” said Cam Johnson, another veteran of the market. “He can score the ball and he can assist. He's a player that everyone knows, with over 30 points and over 10 assists. He's a great teammate at the top. [of that].
“He comes to you and tells you everything, good and bad. He gives you constructive criticism and positive encouragement and encouragement. And when you're on the court with him. , you know he'll always have your back, no matter what pops up, he'll always have your back. . Having teammates like that is really valuable.”
But how much is it worth?
Schroder has value on an expiring $13 million contract.
On Tuesday, ESPN reported that Golden State was one of the teams in contact with Brooklyn, with the pick and injured De'Anthony Melton (on an expiring $12.8 million contract) potentially available.
“I’ve been in the league for 12 years and people have been talking about my name in trade talks for 12 years. [only] Because it was traded twice, [gossip] It’s going to happen,” Schroeder told the Post last month. “They’re using it as an event where they can promote who’s on the block, they don’t really care.
“But I agree with this system now because they pay my check. And I do my job every day, and I'm always professional about it and I'm always going to make the most of it. I'm going to improve by 1 percent every day. And whatever happens, it happens. I understand it's business, but don't worry about it.”
Nets owner Joe Tsai's minority stake in the Dolphins and former Net Vince Carter's minority stake in the Bills are scheduled to be voted on by NFL owners in Dallas on Wednesday, according to Front Office Sports.
