Dennis Schroder has spent plenty of his NBA career making the backup point guard role look easier than it is. That reputation was part of what made him such a useful piece for Cleveland, first when the Cavaliers brought him in a couple of days before the James Harden trade and later when he was part of the backcourt shuffle that followed the team’s early-2026 pivot away from Darius Garland.
But Schroder’s time in Cleveland did not last beyond the 2026 offseason. He is now with the Charlotte Hornets, and he recently explained why the move made sense for him from a basketball standpoint.
“I’ve known for a month. I think it’s a better situation for me from a sporting perspective... 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," Schroder said to Eurohoops' Johnny Askounis about his new role.
That was the reality in Cleveland, where Donovan Mitchell and James Harden dominated the ball and soaked up most of the creation work. For a guard like Schroder, who has built a long career on steady playmaking and the ability to score when needed, there was only so much room to carve out. He has made a living as a trusted reserve across multiple teams, and he knows how to fit into a rotation without needing the offense built around him.
The Hornets should offer something different. Under head coach Charles Lee, Schroder can step into a larger role, and he’ll be competing with Coby White for the starting job. Compared with sitting behind Mitchell and Harden, that gives Schroder a much clearer path to the kind of minutes he wants.
In Other News...
Cavaliers Just Got Pulled Into A Wild Kevin Durant Trade Idea
Kevin Durant trade chatter has a way of pulling half the league into the conversation, and Cleveland is the latest team to get dragged into the mix. The Houston Rockets are reportedly exploring options and do not appear to be treating Durant as untouchable, which has opened the door to all kinds of speculative framework around what a blockbuster deal might look like. For the Cavaliers, it is the kind of rumor that instantly commands attention because it ties their name to one of the most recognizable stars in the sport.
The latest four-team concept floating around would involve Cleveland, Houston and other clubs in a shuffle of major pieces, with the whole thing still firmly in the hypothetical stage. Nothing has been confirmed by the teams, and these kinds of talks can disappear just as quickly as they surface, but they do show how aggressively the market is already spinning around Durant. For a Cavs team always looking to measure itself against the leagues top-tier talent, even the rumor alone is enough to make people pause and imagine the possibilities. [Read more 🡒]
Former Cavaliers Coach Lands Role That Could Haunt Cleveland Fans
John Beilein is back on an NBA staff, and this time his next stop comes with a familiar face for Cavaliers fans to remember. The Orlando Magic announced the longtime college and pro coach has taken a Senior Coaching Consultant role, and Beilein confirmed the move on his personal Twitter account as he prepares to assist head coach Sean Sweeney next season.
For Cleveland, the hire is bound to stir up some old memories from Beileins brief run with the Cavaliers in 2019-20, a stretch that ended before it ever truly got off the ground. His return to the league adds another layer to an offseason already full of movement around the East, and it gives the Cavs one more former link to watch as Orlando shapes its staff for the year ahead. [Read more 🡒]