Dennis Schroder’s New Chapter with the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Sacramento Kings’ mid-season trade of Dennis Schroder to the Cleveland Cavaliers has sparked discussion about the performance of both Schroder and fellow former King, Keon Ellis. After De’Andre Hunter’s season-ending eye surgery shortly after joining Sacramento, attention shifted to how these players would integrate into their new teams. Greg Swartz, NBA writer for Bleacher Report, recently shared his insights on The Drive Guys, offering a detailed look at their contributions.
Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder: A Cavaliers Perspective
Ellis, who spent three and a half seasons with the Kings after joining as an undrafted free agent in 2022, quickly became a fan favorite. His departure, along with Schroder, was a decision made by General Manager Scott Perry as the team looked towards the future. Swartz believes both players have become valuable bench contributors for Cleveland.
“They both have been pretty important pieces off the bench,” Swartz explained. “From day one, those two guys have kind of been important bench players for them. Dennis Schroder has not shot the ball well. I appreciate the hustle and the energy that he brings on a nightly basis. And the Cavs had way too many nice guys, and they need guys with a little bit of feistiness to them, and I think that Dennis brings that.”
While Schroder’s shooting hasn’t been consistent, his energy and competitive spirit have been welcomed by the Cavaliers. Ellis, on the other hand, has been shooting well from three-point range, averaging 36.3% with 8.1 points and 1.4 steals in 24.8 minutes per game. Swartz suggests the Cavaliers might consider giving Ellis an even larger role.
Looking Ahead: Kings’ Future and the 2026 NBA Draft
The conversation with Swartz also touched upon the future of veterans DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook. DeRozan, with one season remaining on his contract, could be a valuable asset due to his expiring deal. Westbrook’s one-year contract is also expiring, but Swartz believes his skillset might be better suited for a team contending for a championship.
“I don’t see any reason to bring back Russell Westbrook,” Swartz stated. “I think Russell Westbrook, at this point, would probably prefer to play for a championship. …if you’re the Kings you have to get younger. You have to hope that you have a very good night on draft lottery night and you can get a future franchise centerpiece.”
Swartz emphasized the importance of the 2026 NBA Draft for the Kings, suggesting it could be the key to finding a franchise-altering player. The Kings’ success may hinge on securing a high draft pick and selecting a player who can lead the team into the future.
For the full interview with Greg Swartz, visit Sactown Sports. Tune in to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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