Dennis Schröder’s stop in Cleveland turned out to be short, but it left enough behind for him to speak honestly about what didn’t quite fit.
Now headed to the Charlotte Hornets as the latest stop in a career that will take him to his 12th team in 14 NBA seasons, Schröder made it clear why the move makes sense for him. In Charlotte, he is set up as the No. 2 point guard behind Coby White, with the Hornets having moved LaMelo Ball earlier in the summer and added White to stabilize the position.
Schröder said his new situation gives him a chance to do what comes naturally.
"I've known for a month. I think the Hornets are a better situation for me because I can play the way I normally play. When you have two legends in your position who bring the ball up the court and play a lot of isolation, then it’s just difficult.”
That was the reality in Cleveland, where James Harden and Donovan Mitchell both needed touches and the playmaking chances for Schröder were limited. The fit made his job harder than it needed to be.
The Cavs’ move for him had originally looked like a clean win. When they sent De’Andre Hunter to the Kings last year for Keon Ellis and Schröder, the idea was that they were getting value while also getting off Hunter’s contract.
Hunter, a 6-foot-8 forward, had struggled badly the previous season, and the hope that he would fill the small forward hole from the year before never really took hold. The trade also saved Cleveland money against the salary cap.
Ellis was viewed as a solid perimeter defender with enough shooting to help space the floor, while Schröder was a clear upgrade over an unplayable Lonzo Ball and stepped into the rotation right away. When the roster was thin and there were more minutes to go around, both players had their moments. Still, the size issue was real, and Schröder having less of the ball in his hands made things tougher for him.
Even with those limitations, Schröder had stretches where he made his presence felt, and he was well-liked in Cleveland. For the first time in his long NBA journey, he posted regularly and connected with Cavs fans on X, showing real enjoyment in being part of the group. The city embraced him, and he produced some strong moments during his time there.
His exit also helped Cleveland address another need. Moving him allowed the team to acquire the versatile young Peyton Watson, while Charlotte got the trusted backup point guard it needed. In the end, it’s another deal that makes sense for both sides, and Schröder now gets a chance to settle into a role that should suit him better.
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What made the opening possible was James Harden declining his player option and then signing a new deal later than anticipated, which created the kind of cap flexibility that can change a summer plan in a hurry. Harden has also reportedly been involved in recruiting Watson and has been active in team workouts, a detail that adds an unusual layer to a move Cleveland fans probably did not see coming when the offseason started. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Suddenly Have A Real Path To The Easts Top Seed
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What makes the conversation more interesting is how much of this comes down to fit as much as talent. The Cavaliers are not just collecting names, they are trying to stitch together a group that can settle in quickly, build chemistry and avoid the kind of uneven stretches that can cost a team in the standings. If the pieces come together the way Cleveland believes they can, the path to finishing atop the Eastern Conference suddenly looks more real than it did when the summer began. [Read more 🡒]