NBA Veteran Dennis Schröder Reflects on Trade Deadline Realities

SAN FRANCISCO – Dennis Schröder, a 12-year NBA veteran, has experienced the trade deadline’s uncertainty firsthand. Traded five times in his career, including once this season on Dec. 15, 2024, Schröder understands the anxiety that comes with the league’s annual roster reshuffling. Now with the Golden State Warriors, the 31-year-old guard shared his perspective on the business side of basketball in an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area.

“At the end of the day, your salary is still the same,” Schröder said after the Warriors’ 104-99 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. “You go to a different city, of course, but that’s not a real problem. That’s a luxury problem.”

Schröder, who has played for eight teams, including two stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, emphasized the transactional nature of the NBA. “It’s always exciting to you guys [the media] probably. For me, being in my 12th season, business is business. I got my own team in Germany. I know how it works.”

The veteran guard also reflected on the emotional toll of trade rumors, particularly for younger players. “I’ve been in their shoes, seeing their names in trade rumors, being confused, annoyed, or mad,” Schröder said. “It’s a cutthroat business. You can get traded for a star at any moment.”

Schröder pointed to the recent blockbuster trade involving Luka Dončić as a stark reminder of the league’s unpredictability. Dončić, a five-time NBA All-Star, was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that shocked the basketball world. “Luka Dončić just got traded and got five NBA First Teams,” Schröder said. “All-Stars, he brought money to them, NBA Finals last year, and $117 million he can’t sign now because he got traded. Nobody’s safe.”

The German native also criticized the trade deadline’s impact on players’ lives, comparing it to “modern slavery.” “Everybody can decide where you’re going, even if you have a contract,” he said. “They can tell you, ‘We want you to be team-first, but you’re going over there.’ It’s a lot.”

Schröder’s personal life has also been affected by his nomadic career. His wife, Ellen, and their three children, ages 2, 4, and 6, spent over a month in Brooklyn before joining him in San Francisco. “Christmas was celebrated over FaceTime,” he said. “Where I go, they go.”

Since joining the Warriors, Schröder has averaged 9.8 points per game, with his performance improving recently as his family settled in. Over his last 12 games, he has averaged 11.4 points on 42.5 percent shooting. “If it stays this way, I think we’re going to accomplish a lot,” Schröder said of his time with the Warriors. “At the end of the day, it’s just where I feel appreciated.”

As the NBA trade deadline approaches on Feb. 6, Schröder remains philosophical about his future. “You never know in this business,” he said. “But I hope long-term changes can come to make it better for everyone.”