Dennis Schroder leading North of the border
Whereas Collins and Reddish were both parts of the current core’s greatest recent success, Dennis Schroder represents the last iteration of the franchise. After the Hawks tried to make the two-guard system work with Schroder alongside Jeff Teague, even reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2014-15, the Hawks turned the reins over to Schroder.
The Hawks traded Teague to the Indiana Pacers in 2016 in a three-team trade with the Utah Jazz for Taurean Prince.
They made one more playoff appearance before enduring a three-year drought.
Atlanta traded Schroder to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018 as part of a three-team deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, receiving forwards Justin Anderson and Carmelo Anthony (the latter of whom never suited up for the organization) and a 2022 first-round pick that did not convey.
Dennis for 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/Sh2c0TLFuC
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 9, 2023
Schroder has been on a journeyman’s path since then, albeit a successful one, including postseason appearances with the Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers. After notoriously passing up a hefty sum of money for free agency in 2021 – and stints with the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, and Lakers Part 2 – Schroder signed with the Toronto Raptors this past offseason.
His two-year, $25.4 million contract is a far cry from the $84 million offer he received from the Lakers.
But his 15.6/7.3/3.0 line on .435/.348/.829 shooting has Toronto one a half-game behind Atlanta.
It’s hard to quantify any of these moves as a loss for the Hawks. This team has a record that is as good or better than any of their former players’ new squads. And, in Schroder’s case, his departure can be directly tied to Trae Young’s arrival in the draft the following offseason.