The Cleveland Cavaliers, like every other competitive team in the league, are trying to navigate the new CBA by cutting costs where they can. That’s resulted in an ongoing search to dump Dennis Schroder’s contract. Not because the Cavs can’t use his talents, but because clearing space for financial wiggle-room is more important in today’s NBA.
Per reports, there are multiple potential suitors for Schroder.
“Sources tell Cleveland.com the Cavs continue to discuss various trade packages involving Schroder,” said Chris Fedor. “Seeing if there is an opportunity to slightly reconfigure the roster to gain financial flexibility, which would help their [Cleveland’s] pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson.”
Finding a team that’s willing to eat Schroder’s contract is the challenge. Cleveland needs a franchise that’s both willing and capable of absorbing Schroder’s $15 million price tag. Fortunately, a number of teams can fit the bill.
The Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, LA Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks are all able to absorb Schroder’s contract without sending anything back.
Of that group, the Pistons might make the most sense for Schroder. There’s a team that needs additional ball-handling and has benefited from Schroder’s skills in the past. It would make sense for both sides to pursue a deal here.
Schroder has been traded eight times in his NBA career, second only to Trevor Ariza, who was traded 11 times throughout his career.
Being traded that many times is somewhat of a compliment. You have to be wanted by other teams to appear in that many trades. On that same note, you have to be expendable enough to be put on the trading block that frequently.
Schroder has had a successful professional career. He’s been a positive contributor at basically every stop he’s made. He even helped the Cavs overcome a handful of adverse games in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
It just makes sense for the Cavs to pursue a salary dump. They need financial freedom more than a backup point guard. Especially if that additional cap space can allow them to trade for a wing who fits their biggest needs. Cleveland remains in the hunt for both Watson and Kuminga. Trading Schroder is the first step to completing that.
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