Atlanta Hawks Shouldn’t Trade Impulsive Dennis Schroder
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Hawk’s point guard Dennis Schroder has been making headlines this week. His recent comments imply he may request a trade away from his current team.
Dennis Schroder is coming off of his best season for the Atlanta Hawks. While he struggled shooting the three his scoring average and ability to assist were at the highest levels of his short career.
While his defense is questionable at best, Schroder is a young player who will only get better. It came as a bit of a surprise to hear the young point guard make the impulsive decision to share he may want to be traded.
Sharing that information at a press conference in front of a number of his fans is a bit concerning. It hurts the Hawk’s leverage if they were to attempt to trade Dennis and points to his selfishness. Dennis has his own team, he is the unquestioned best scorer and has all the pressure squarely on him.
Most good players would take this opportunity to improve their game and show what they can do. For Dennis, however, it seems he is more interested in whining about the team’s one losing season while he has been there.
Despite his pending court case and at times flawed attitude, the Hawks should keep Dennis. Few guards in the League have his ability to get to the basket and put it in the hole.
He attacks and assists at a high level and averaged a career-high 19 points last season. All the leverage is on the Hawk’s side Dennis has years left on his recent contract and the Hawks have zero obligation to trade him.
If Dennis were to continue to cause problems with the organization, it would hurt his trade value as well making fewer teams interested. If the Hawks are smart they will look to the Cleveland Cavs as an example of what not to do.
With star point guard Kyrie Irving well in their control, the Cavs caved to his trade request and because of it are likely to lose to his new team for years to come. Lebron James is more likely to leave as well with very limited help.
If the Cavs had patiently weathered the storm Kyrie would still be with the Cavs and they would be better for it.
The Hawks need to stand firmly with Dennis that he will not be on the trade market. Point guards who can score as well as Dennis are a commodity you don’t move lightly.
The Hawks should tell Dennis to shift his focus to improving his porous defense and inability to shoot the three. Dennis Schroder can speculate all he wants but if the Hawks are smart he will remain in Atlanta for some time to come.