Nets’ Long-Term Vision Wins Out In Dennis Schroder Trade

When the Brooklyn Nets traded Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors, it wasn’t just about the player on the court. It was about the bigger picture.

Nets general manager Sean Marks spoke candidly about the decision to part ways with Schroder, who was arguably enjoying the best season of his 12-year NBA career, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

“We’re going to miss Dennis the person, on and off the court,” Marks said on Sunday. “What he did for us in the locker room, his leadership, he exemplifies the Brooklyn grit we talk about.”

But Marks made it clear that, ultimately, the decision was about long-term success.

“These are decisions you have to make when your ultimate goal is long-term, sustainable success,” Marks continued. “We’re weighing a lot of factors … looking at the big picture, this is what’s best for our organization long term.”

The trade, which sent Schroder to the Warriors in exchange for draft assets, helps the Nets build for the future. While the move will hurt them on the floor, especially considering Schroder had been the driving force behind an offense that exceeded expectations — the Nets’ 113.1 offensive rating ranked 13th in the league, ahead of star-heavy teams like the Warriors and Lakers — Marks and the front office are prioritizing future flexibility.

The move is all about maximizing Brooklyn’s 2025 first-round pick, which could be key to their long-term rebuild.

Schroder’s departure leaves a void that won’t be easy to fill. The veteran point guard had been integral to the Nets’ surprising success, running the offense and providing leadership. Yet, first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez reiterated that he’s on board with the franchise’s long-term vision.

“Are we going to miss him here? Yes, because he’s a great guy and did great things for us,” Fernandez said. “But we have assets, and moving forward that will be a good thing for our future.”

Fernandez added, “So, I understand that’s how it works. It’s not my part of the job. My job is to work with these guys … and make them play hard. Our vision from ownership to the front office to the coaching staff is aligned, and we’re going to keep doing it this way.”

The Nets’ decision was strategic beyond just the on-court impact. Brooklyn could’ve used its mid-level exception or the $23 million trade exception from the Mikal Bridges deal to absorb the salary of Philadelphia’s De’Anthony Melton.

But the Nets chose not to use those exceptions, preserving both their mid-level exception and trade exception for future flexibility.

In the end, the move generates a minuscule $203,250 trade exception, a small piece of the puzzle that’s part of a larger, calculated vision for the team’s future.

The trade of Schroder, while tough on the team in the short term, reflects the Nets’ commitment to building a roster capable of sustained success. While the locker room will miss Schroder’s presence, the front office is looking down the road at the bigger picture.

As Marks and Fernandez have made clear, the Nets’ focus is on positioning themselves for long-term success, and that means making tough decisions in the short term.