Windhorst explains why Warriors were lucky Schröder trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
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The stars were aligned for the Warriors to acquire veteran guard Dennis Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Golden State has a hard cap on the first luxury tax platform due to the historic six-team deal they made in July, which included sign-and-trades. Before Sunday’s trading, the Warriors were about $534,000 under that platform.
That left little room for the Warriors to take back money in a trade.
But Schröder is making just over $203,000 more this season than De’Anthony Melton, who was sent to the Nets in the second round along with three future draft picks.
With Melton out for the season due to a torn ACL and the Warriors struggling to score late in games, they took the first opportunity – December 15 when Melton became tradable – to trade salaries.
“This is the dream signing and not because he’s absolutely a superstar player,” NBA analyst Brian Windhorst said Monday on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “But No. 1, they really haven’t developed any talent here because Melton is out for a year with the torn ACL. Brooklyn is trying to lose more and honestly, Schroder has been so good that they’re winning too many games.” Serious. They’re basically giving them away for a few draft picks. So that’s one thing: they trade a wounded man for a man who can help right away.
“The second thing is that they really had to thread a needle here, because they are in the aprons with their salaries. Long story short, they can only do a transaction where they receive a salary of $500,000 or less. They were extremely lucky that Schröder only makes $200,000 more than Melton. So this deal actually fit, slipped under the platform where they were allowed, they were able to do it without losing a rotation player, because Melton was injured I ask. I wonder if the first, literally the first moment they could trade Melton on December 15th, they had this deal ready. They were very, very excited to make this happen.
After the Schröder trade, the Warriors are now $330,408 under the first tax apron, per GSW CBA.
Schröder, who is averaging 18.4 points per game this season, will practice with the Warriors for the first time on Tuesday and play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.
Whether Schröder will start or come off the bench remains to be seen, but Andscape’s Marc J. Spears likes how the 12-year NBA veteran fits with the Warriors.
“This is a much better player than a guy with blonde hair in Atlanta,” Spears said Monday on NBA Today. “I think this is a huge addition for the Warriors. They really needed him the last few games. Someone who would give them some extra points. A court general. He makes their backcourt a little small with him and Steph, but he’s He comes in today. He guards Ja Morant on Thursday.
“He gives them the necessary assists, the necessary defense. He gives them a lot of needs. A lot of things they need now. Some grit. His drive to the hole. Strong defender. He’s a big pick-up for them. Kudos .” Unpleasant [general manager Mike] Dunleavy to fill that Melton gap. And that’s what they wanted to do: fill this hole for Melton. And I think they’re going to be very patient to get the next big superstar.”
The Warriors will take their time in the coming weeks to see how Schröder fits into the roster. If Dunleavy and the front office believe a new move is necessary, they will have the contracts, young talent and commitment to make a big impact.
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