Brooklyn’s trading Dennis Schroder was strictly business.
And the business is tanking.
The Nets moved a 31-year-old set to hit free agency for second-round draft picks, but the endgame was ensuring themselves a better first-rounder.
A lottery one.
“We’re going to miss Dennis the person, on and off the court. What he did for us in the locker room, his leadership, he exemplifies the Brooklyn grit we talk about,” GM Sean Marks said. “But these are decisions you have to make when your ultimate goal is long-term, sustainable success. We’re weighing a lot of factors … looking at the big picture, this is what’s best for our organization long term.
“Also factoring in that Dennis is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. So who knows what his market is and where he’s going to end up? But this was an opportunity for us to acquire draft assets … that helps us in our long-term build.”
That always meant doing it through the lottery.
That’s why Marks required the Nets’ 2025 and ’26 picks, and why he’s already made four trips to Rutgers to scout Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
And the fastest way to tank has always been to remove the Nets’ engine.
That was Schroder.
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 — Reece Beekman and three seconds (Atlanta’s in 2026 and ’28, and the Warriors’ in 2029).
They created a trade exception of roughly $13 million.
But most important was removing Schroder, who is having a career year.
While Marks got Schroder as a salary dump from Toronto, the point guard has helped the Nets overachieve.
Two days ago they were sitting in the 15th draft position with no chance at a top-four pick.
Sunday they were ninth, those odds above 20 percent.
Those odds will get better as their record gets worse sans Schroder.
And with vets such as Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith on the market, there could yet be more moves.
“Guys, the business is a business, and I understand I’m a part of it. And sometimes things happen,” Johnson said. “But I’m grateful for any opportunity that comes my way, no matter what. So I’m really grateful to be here in this moment.”
The key word is moment, with more moves possible.
“We’re always going to be listening,” Marks said. “We’re always going to be canvassing the league. And when there’s opportunities for us to build that fit our long-term approach and how we’ll build and acquiring draft assets is going to be important for us.”
The Nets have amassed 13 second-round picks and 15 firsts through 2031, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, the Nets’ ex-assistant GM.
Twelve of the firsts and all of the seconds are tradeable, and Sean Marks loves flexibility.
That’s a trait coach Jordi Fernandez and his players will have to embrace.
“Obviously it’s a new day, right? Dennis has been a big part of this group, has done great things for us, now is heading to a different team,” Fernandez said. “After that, life goes on.
“We have a long-term vision that is shared from ownership to front office and the coaching staff. We’re all on the same page. And ready for the next day.”
The next day is Monday vs. Cleveland.
The Nets will face it with Ben Simmons at point guard, knowing he’s missed 189 of 246 games over the prior three years.
They have backup off-guards Shake Milton and Keon Johnson, and Beekman arriving shortly.
Melton is out for the year with a torn ACL.
The Nets will have to run more, and do without Schroder’s scoring.
“Are we going to miss him here? Yes, because he’s a great guy and did great things for us. But we have assets, and moving forward that will be a good thing for our future,” Fernandez said. “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.”
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