Team hopping

The wheeling and dealing is over in the trade market but there is still the NBA buy-out market where teams who no longer need the services of their veterans get released from their contracts.   This allows teams to add personnel at a more advantageous deal.  Ben Simmons had agreed to a buyout and the Brooklyn Nets had closed a deal with the LA Clippers.  

We’re not talking about buyouts here but about a player who is on his third team this season.

2023 FIBA World Cup MVP Dennis Schroder is now on his 9th team in the NBA.  In his 12th season in the league, he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks as their 17th overall pick in 2013, where he spent five seasons.

From there, he spent time with the OKC Thunder, two stints with LA Lakers (2020-2021 and 2022-2023), the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors.  He started the 2024-2025 season with the Brooklyn Nets, was dealt to the Golden State Warriors and at the trade deadline to the Detroit Pistons.

When his first tour of duty with the Lakers ended, the point guard was offered a 4-year, $84 million contract extension but his agent got greedy and advised him to reject the offer.  Agents normally get 5% to 15% of their client’s playing contract and from 10% to 20% from endorsements, if ever.  Schroder ended signing with Boston for 1-year, $5.9 million.  In his stead, the Lakers signed Russell Westbrook and we all know the result.

The 31-year old German has respectable career averages of 14 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.  Playing for 15 minutes in his Detroit debut the other day, Schroder obviously was adjusting to his new environment and contributed 5 points with 3 assists.

Cade Cunningham is the Pistons’ starting point guard and Schroder will be his reliable backup.  Detroit is sixth on the Eastern Conference standings and Schroder definitely will steady the team in their post-season hunt.

With a salary of $13 million this season, Schoder is a Puma athlete and has deals with German companies Mercedes Benz and Hugo Boss.  He also collaborates with Russell Athletics.

He is the sole owner of Loewen Braunschweig, a team who plays in the top tier German Bundesliga Basketball.