The Nets finalized their trade with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, just minutes before the end of practice. Veteran guard Dennis Schröder is officially headed to the Bay Area to team up with Stephen Curry, and general manager Sean Marks continues to stack future assets as Brooklyn’s rebuild enters its next phase.
“First and foremost, I think it needs to be addressed that we’re going to miss Dennis, the person on and off the court,” Marks said. “I think what he did for us in the locker room, his leadership, he exemplifies the Brooklyn grit that we talk about. So, missing him is difficult. But these are the decisions you have to make when your ultimate goal is long-term sustainable success.”
Schröder, 31, was acquired by the Nets at last season’s trade deadline. He averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists across 23 games this season while shooting 45.2% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range. However, his true importance to Brooklyn boiled down to the intangibles. He was a fierce competitor at both ends of the court and a vocal leader in the locker room.
“Obviously, a loss like that hurts, but we all understand that business is business, and you know, that’s what happens,” Cam Johnsons said. “So, we wish the best for him going forward, except when he plays us… So, we’ll have to pick up the slack, you know, across the roster, and keep it pushing.”
In exchange for Schröder and a 2025 second-round pick (via Miami), the Nets acquired injured guard De’Anthony Melton and two-way guard Reece Beekman, along with three unprotected second round draft picks (2026 via Atlanta, 2028 via Atlanta and 2029 Golden State’s own).
Two-way forward Cui Yongxi, who tore his ACL in the G League on Wednesday, was waived to make room for Beekman. Marks confirmed that Brooklyn created a trade exception in the Schröder deal. And because Melton was injured in Golden State, the Nets are not allowed to apply for a Disabled Player Exception.
Beekman appeared in just two games for Golden State this season. However, he did play in nine Tip-Off Tournament games with G League affiliate Santa Cruz, where he averaged 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting 51.5% from the field. The 23-year-old played his college basketball at Virginia, where he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior and finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in steals with 228.
“Excited to have him,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. Defensive minded player. I think he led his conference in steals. A point guard that will help our ball pressure, our activity on defense, playmaking, running the team. So, excited to have him. I think he’ll get here soon, so we’ll get to work with him soon.”
The Nets now hold 30 total draft picks from now until 2031 —17 first-round picks and 13 second-round picks.
“We’re happy [Dennis] gets the opportunity to go play for a team that’s going to [compete] for a championship,” Fernandez said. “Are we going to miss him here? Yes, because he’s a great guy and did great things for us. But we have assets and moving forward that will be a good thing for our future… Our vision from ownership to the front office to the coaching staff is aligned, and we’re going to keep doing it this way.”
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