Brooklyn trader Dennis Schroeder was all about business.
And business is slow.
The Nets acquired the 31-year-old in free agency for a second-round draft pick, but were able to secure a better first-round pick in the final round.
One of the lottery tickets.
“We’re going to miss Dennis as a person, both on and off the court. What he did for us in the locker room, his leadership, embodies the Brooklyn spirit we’re talking about. “We’re here,” GM Sean Marks said. “But these are decisions that have to be made if the ultimate goal is long-term, sustainable success. We know what’s best for our organization in the long run.
“We also take into account that Dennis will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. So who knows what the market is for him and where he will end up. But… This was an opportunity for us to acquire draft assets…that will help us build long-term.”
That was always meant to be done by lottery.
That’s why Marks has claimed the Nets’ 2025 and 2026 picks and has already made four trips to Rutgers to scout Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
And the fastest way to the tank was always to remove the Nets’ engine.
That was Schroeder.
The Nets sent Schroder and a second-round pick (from Miami) to Golden State for De’Anthony Melton (who couldn’t be traded until Sunday), along with Reece Beekman and three second-round picks (Atlanta in 2026 and 2028; Warriors) in 2016. 2029).
They made a trade exception of about $13 million.
But most importantly, they removed Schroder, who is having a career year.
Marks acquired Schroder from Toronto as a salary dump, but the point guard helped the Nets overachieve.
Two days ago, they were sitting at No. 15 in the draft, with no chance of a top-four pick.
On Sunday, he was in ninth place with odds of over 20 percent.
Without Schröder, that becomes even more likely as their record worsens.
And with veterans like Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith on the market, more moves could happen.
“I understand, guys, business is business and I’m a part of it, and sometimes things happen,” Johnson said. “But I’m grateful for whatever opportunity comes my way, whatever opportunity comes my way. So I’m really grateful to be here at this moment.”
The keyword is moment and more movement is possible.
“We’re always going to listen,” Marks said. “We’re always going to be looking at the league and when we have an opportunity to build something that fits our long-term approach and how we build and acquire draft assets. It will be important to us.”
According to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, a former Nets assistant GM, the Nets have 13 second-round picks and 15 first-round picks through 2031.
All 12 of the firsts and second are interchangeable, and Sean Marks likes flexibility.
That is a quality that coach Jordi Fernandes and his players must embrace.
“Obviously, it’s a new day, right? Dennis is an important part of this group and has done great things for us, but now he’s moved to another team,” Fernandes said. “Life goes on after that.
“We have a long-term vision and it’s shared from ownership to the front office to the coaching staff. We’re all on the same page. And we’re ready for the next day.”
The next day is Monday vs. Cleveland.
The Nets will be starting point guard Ben Simmons, who has missed 189 of 246 games over the past three years.
They have backup off-guards Shake Milton and Keon Johnson, and Beekman will arrive soon.
Melton will be out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL.
The Nets will have to run more and can do without Schroder scoring.
“Will we miss him here? Yes, because he’s a great guy and he’s done great things for us. But we have assets and moving forward is good for our future. That’s going to happen,” Fernandez said. “So I understand that’s how it works. That’s not my job. My job is to work with them and make them play hard.
“From our ownership to our front office to our coaching staff, our vision is aligned and we intend to continue doing things this way.”
