The Golden State Warriors recently traded for veteran point guard Dennis Schroder. Although the German native doesn't fit Steve Kerr's system, adding the veteran point reveals a major Warriors change.
Despite starting the 2024-25 season with a 7-1 record, the Warriors have since plummeted, given their 2-8 record in their last 10 games. Golden State began the season exuding championship-level production. However, the Warriors' offense regressed once the schedule progressed and the competition stiffened.
The Warriors rank 14th in offensive rating, with the bench providing no support regarding playmaking and ball-handling confidence. However, Schroder injects life into the Warriors' secondary, which fails to support Stephen Curry as he rests.
Although Kerr's motion offense has strong points, the schematic approach doesn't mesh with the supporting cast, as Curry and Draymond Green are the last hold-ons of an era in which they relished utilizing such a philosophy.
Schroder's isolation success and pick-and-roll ability conflict with that of Kerr's preferred offense, but the Warriors wouldn't have traded for the point guard if they didn't believe the move led to winning.
According to Synergy Sports' database, Schroder ranks in the "very good" tier of points per possession regarding pick-and-roll ball-handling duties and spot-up sequences. Furthermore, the same metrics align Schroder at the "good" tier in isolation plays.
While Schroder is a different player than Kerr typically trusts with the ball, he can also camouflage into the motion offense when necessary. Still, given that the Warriors dropped from the top team in the Western Conference to the eighth seed, perhaps Kerr should bend his philosophy.
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