Steph and Draymond excited about Warriors trade for ‘competitor’ Schröder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – It is obvious that the new member of the WarriorsDennis Schröder, is excited to become teammates with future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Schröder’s joy, however, pales in comparison to the elation felt by Curry and Green.
“He’s a real competitor,” Curry said of Schröder after the Defeat of the Warriors 143-133 at the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. “Can create, score, direct an attack, a whole formation. I’m excited to see it connect. A guy that I can play with in the backcourt, can take on a lot of ball-handling responsibilities when I’m off the field. It gives us another guy who can attack a defense and on the other end, he loves to compete.
“He’s also involved on the defensive side. The transition should therefore be smooth for him. We’ll see what it looks like.
Curry has direct experience against Schröder, as the two guards have faced each other 17 times, by Statmuse.com. Both are listed as point guards, but “combo guard” is a more accurate description for them. Everyone can play with or without the ball.
Green likes what he’s seen from Schröder, who entered the NBA in 2013 — a year before Draymond — as a first-round pick (17th overall) of the Atlanta Hawks.
“I like the way he carries himself,” Green said. “He behaves like he belongs in every room, at all times. I respect people like that. Looking forward to being a teammate, getting to know him better. But I know who and what he is, and that’s what’s important.
At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Schröder (pronounced SHROO-dah) fills the role previously occupied by De’Anthony Meltonwho was signed in July and became a starter before his season ended on November 12 when he suffered a partially torn left ACL that required surgery.
Schröder is expected to join Curry in Golden State’s backcourt.
Curry and Green were also particularly pleased with the urgency with which Golden State’s front office explored the move. General manager Mike Dunleavy and his lieutenants went after Schröder last week and closed the deal on Sunday, the earliest allowed under NBA rules.
“It definitely gives us an idea of what the front office is feeling and thinking,” Green said. “Mike has been great since stepping into this role. Having that sense of urgency to get this deal done like that (snap fingers) continues to show why he is who he is, why he took on this role and why he’s going to continue to be great in this league as a general manager. .”
Green and Curry were consulted before the trade, which sent Melton and two-way guard Reece Beekman to the Nets, along with three future second-round picks. The Warriors also received a second-round pick from Brooklyn.
“With Bob (former general manager Myers) and with Mike, it’s always a conversation about whether something is real or whether something is worth having a serious conversation to get involved with at this point,” said Curry. “I don’t want to get distracted by what-ifs and all that kind of stuff. It happened pretty quickly. I’m excited to have the opportunity to play with a guy we’ve been playing against for a long time.
