Hornets get much-needed point guard depth with Dennis Schroder trade

Dennis Schroder. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Hornets get much-needed point guard depth with Dennis Schroder trade

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 14, 2026 4:23 PM ET

After trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Charlotte Hornets were left needing a true backup point guard in the rotation behind Coby White.

Charlotte drafted Texas Tech point guard Christian Anderson with one of its two first-round picks, but after a few rough performances in the Summer League, it was evident that he is still some time away from being a productive NBA player.

Because of that, the Hornets swung a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday afternoon to add a true backup point guard to their rotation for the upcoming season.

Dennis Schroder is headed to Charlotte

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Hornets are acquiring veteran Dennis Schroder from the Cavaliers. Schroder was acquired by Cleveland ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline and was a key player for it in the playoffs.

Charlotte will be sending Tre Mann in return for Schroder. Mann has spent the past two-and-a-half seasons with the Hornets but has consistently fallen out of the rotation during his time with the organization.

Charlotte picks up an established veteran at point guard who has history with Hornets president Jeff Peterson and coach Charles Lee from his tenure in Atlanta at the start of his career.

The Hornets, Cavaliers and Schroder's rep Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports worked for the… https://t.co/BITtNF5iiV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 14, 2026

What will Charlotte look like without LaMelo Ball?

With the trade of Ball being the major move of the offseason, the Hornets are banking on their young duo of Brandon Miller (23) and Kon Knueppel (21).

Schroder (32) will not only give a young Charlotte team a much-needed veteran presence in the locker room, but also a productive option off the bench who can control the offense.

In a loaded Eastern Conference, the Hornets will have an uphill battle to get to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: