It’s not the trade Golden State Warriors fans have been hoping for, but it will do for now.
On Saturday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Golden State is finalizing a trade to acquire Nets guard Dennis Schroder and a second-round pick for guard De’Anthony Melton and three second-round picks.
In 23 games this season, Schroder is averaging 18.4 points, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.6 minutes per game.
Melton only appeared in six games before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in November.
Schroder would be a significant acquisition for Golden State because it needed a guard to run the second unit when Stephen Curry sits.
Per Basketball Reference, the Warriors’ offensive rating is 16.4 points worse when Curry sits (104.6) than when he’s on the court (121).
Schroder’s range — he’s shooting 38.7 percent from deep while making a career-high 2.5 threes per game — also gives Golden State another consistent perimeter threat.
The Warriors attempt the league’s fourth-most threes (41 per game) but only rank 14th in three-point percentage (36.6 percent).
Golden State (14-10, fifth in Western Conference) has spiraled after a 12-3 start.
It is 2-7 in its last nine games and has been held under 100 points in three of its last four.
Earlier this week, NBA insider Brian Windhorst appeared on “Get Up” and reported the Warriors could go big-game hunting before this season’s trade deadline.
Windhorst shared that Lakers forward LeBron James is one of the players on the front office’s wish list.
“The Warriors have dreamed of pairing LeBron with Steph Curry and Draymond Green since last year,” Windhorst said while noting Golden State could also pursue Heat forward Jimmy Butler.
Acquiring Schroder shouldn’t eliminate Golden State as a player for either of the stars.
If anything, his addition should make the Warriors even more determined to finalize a bigger trade.
Schroder is a satisfying appetizer. But Golden State fans wouldn’t be blamed for asking when the main course arrives.
