Shams Charania, senior NBA insider
The Golden State Warriors agreed to the acquisition transaction Netty from Brooklyn quarterback Dennis Schroder Down De’Anthony Meltonsources told ESPN on Saturday.
Sources say the Warriors will also receive one second-round draft pick from the Nets and will send three second-round picks to Brooklyn.
Schroder has been one of the best defenders in the NBA this year, propelling the Nets into contention in the Eastern Conference early in the season.
In his first full season in Brooklyn since being traded from the Raptors last year, Schroder is averaging 18.4 points and a career-high 6.6 assists in 33.6 minutes. He also made progress as an outside shooter, attempting a career-high 6.5 three-pointers per game on nearly 39% shooting.
The Nets entered the weekend in 10th place in the conference, four losses shy of sixth place in the standings.
Melton, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason, dealt with a torn anterior cruciate ligament last month and is sidelined for the rest of the season. The Warriors managed without him; After a hot start to the year, Golden State has lost seven of its last nine games.
Schroder fills several needs for the Warriors, including a much-needed additional playmaker who can handle the ball, potentially help the other team get organized, take outside shots and provide Steve Kerr with another veteran presence.
The Warriors coach said before news of the trade was released Saturday afternoon that the loss of Melton caused his rotation to change. Kerr was looking for the right combinations for the night game. Melton was seen as a perfect fit for this team Stephen Curry thanks to his two-way skills and ability to control the ball.
“[It] he changed everything,” Kerr said early Saturday afternoon after Warriors practice. “De’Anthony was a guy who could help us organize our offense as a second ball handler, pick-and-roll, but also as an on-ball defender, a point shooter. We’re certainly mixing and matching with his absence.
“But I love the guys in this team, in this squad. I think we have a lot of depth and yes, we mix and match, but that’s what we need right now and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Schroder, 31, has an expiring contract worth $13 million.
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
