It's Happening Again! Trade the MVP at Lightning Speed! Schröder Has Done Everything for the Nets…

Dennis Schröder has once again found himself in the spotlight, and not just for his impressive performance during the Paris Olympics. Despite Germany finishing fourth, Schröder was undeniably one of the best players in the tournament, earning a spot on the All-Olympic First Team alongside Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokić. This recognition comes on the heels of last year's FIBA World Cup, where Schröder led Germany to gold and claimed the MVP title.

Lately, there's been a growing narrative that Schröder's success in FIBA competitions contrasts sharply with his struggles in the NBA, with some suggesting that he's merely a FIBA specialist who can't cut it in the world's top basketball league. However, this perception couldn't be further from the truth. Schröder has consistently been a solid NBA player, averaging double digits in points every season since his rookie year. In his best season, he nearly averaged 20 points per game.

So, what led to Schröder’s current predicament as a journeyman in the NBA? It all started when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. His stint in L.A. was anything but smooth, marred by underwhelming performances and a swirl of unfavorable rumors, including the infamous story of him allegedly turning down a four-year, $84 million contract extension from the Lakers.

The details of Schröder's decision to reject that Lakers offer remain murky. Some sources claim that the Lakers never formally extended such an offer, instead proposing a shorter-term deal. Others suggest that Schröder declined the deal on the advice of his agent, believing he could secure a more lucrative contract in free agency. Whatever the truth may be, Schröder himself has since expressed regret over turning down the Lakers' contract offer.

Since parting ways with the Lakers, Schröder has been a nomad in the NBA. He signed a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics, only to be traded to the Houston Rockets midway through the 2021-22 season. In the summer of 2022, he returned to the Lakers on a one-year, $2.64 million contract. By the summer of 2023, he had signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, only to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets later that season.

Despite Schröder's expressed desire to stay in Brooklyn and his willingness to mentor the Nets' younger players, the team, being in a rebuild mode, saw him as expendable. The latest reports suggest that several playoff-bound teams are interested in trading for Schröder, who has one year left on his contract worth $13.03 million. With his strong Olympic showing and an expiring contract, it's no surprise that he's become a hot commodity.

For Schröder, being traded by the Nets might not be such a bad thing. If he can land on a playoff contender and take on a sixth-man role, he could significantly boost his value and set himself up for a lucrative contract next summer. Unfortunately, the timing of any potential trade may work against him, as many of the top teams have already filled their rosters or have no cap space available. Take the Denver Nuggets, for example—they desperately needed a reliable backup guard, but they recently filled that gap by signing Russell Westbrook, largely due to Jokić's influence.

Looking ahead, the NBA trade deadline could bring a wave of new deals, and Schröder might find himself on the move once again if he isn't dealt earlier. If he continues to perform well, he could still end up with a playoff team before the trade deadline, giving him a chance to showcase his skills on a bigger stage.

At nearly 31 years old, Schröder knows that next season will be crucial. He'll be gunning for one last big contract, ideally one that provides long-term security and financial stability. This could very well be the last major contract of his career, so he'll need to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way. The road has been bumpy, but Schröder has proven time and again that he can rise to the occasion, whether in the NBA or on the international stage. Now, it’s just a matter of where he’ll get his next chance to shine.