As the Golden State Warriors sit at 11th in the Western Conference with a 22-23 record, the trade deadline could bring significant changes to the roster. Among the players possibly traded are guards Buddy Hield and Dennis Schröder, who are particularly at risk.
The Warriors’ backcourt has been thin, especially after De’Anthony Melton’s early-season injury, which led to his trade for Schröder. While Stephen Curry continues to shine and Brandin Podziemski shows improvement post-injury, the need for a stronger supporting cast remains. As a result, Hield and Schröder, who have underperformed, might be moved to upgrade other positions.
Hield has been inconsistent offensively, with struggles in shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, despite averaging 12.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 45 games. His shooting percentage has bounced back to 37% but has still not been enough to secure his place. Although Hield is in the first year of a four-year, $37 million contract, his performance may encourage the Warriors to seek a more dynamic guard to complement Curry.
Schröder, traded from the Brooklyn Nets in December, was expected to provide a boost, but his fit in the Warriors’ offense has been underwhelming. Averaging only 10.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists with Golden State, his role has not aligned well with the team’s needs. The Warriors may prefer to move on from his expiring $13 million contract in exchange for a guard who better fits the system.
As the trade deadline nears, the Warriors are clearly in need of a big man who can stretch the floor and alleviate their offensive congestion. While trading either of these guards isn’t certain, Schröder is more likely to be dealt, particularly with his recent demotion to the bench and his expiring deal. If Schröder is traded, Hield could take over as a starter, although his performance would need to improve for this to work. Meanwhile, Podziemski would likely continue to handle the ball for the bench unit, and a veteran guard could provide much-needed depth. The Warriors might soon decide to move on from what has been a less-than-ideal backcourt setup.
