The Cavaliers are working the phones again, and Dennis Schröder is right in the middle of it.
Cleveland has been active since the trade deadline, and the roster has already taken a few turns. The Cavs sent De'Andre Hunter, whom they had acquired during the 2024-25 season, to the Sacramento Kings in a deal that brought back Schröder, Keon Ellis and Emanuel Miller, with the Chicago Bulls also involved.
Not long after that, Cleveland added James Harden. From there, the team rolled past the Toronto Raptors and the Detroit Pistons before falling to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Now the focus has shifted to what comes next, and the biggest name in the conversation is LeBron James. Bringing him in would mean more than just a headline; it would require Cleveland to reshape parts of the roster. The Cavaliers want more apron flexibility, and moving one of their newer pieces would help create it.
That’s why Schröder’s name has surfaced in trade talks. It has been reported that Cleveland is actively shopping the veteran guard.
Schröder’s NBA path has taken him through Atlanta, Oklahoma City, the Lakers and other stops, and he also spent time with Detroit before landing in Sacramento. He produced solid numbers with the Kings, averaging 12.8 points, 5.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds.
His stint in Cleveland was quieter by comparison. Schröder put up 8.2 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds with the Cavaliers, and his top moment came in a 26-point outing against the Milwaukee Bucks. That performance was one of just three starts he made for Cleveland.
If he does move on, the Cavs believe there’s another option waiting in the wings. Meleek Thomas, Cleveland’s latest draft pick, has already made noise in Summer League.
He scored 35 points in the team’s win over the Miami Heat and impressed in the games before that as well. There’s a chance he rests in the upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans, but the early returns have been strong enough to show what he can bring.
For Cleveland, the path forward is clear: keep adjusting, keep opening space, and keep chasing the chance to add James.
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