Dennis Schroder Takes Subtle Shot at Cavs After Trade to Hornets

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Dennis Schroder and cash to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday for guard Tre Mann.

The trade saved Cleveland some money as they look to make other moves to improve the roster this offseason. Schroder appeared in only 30 games during his tenure with the Cavs, averaging 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range.

He never seemed comfortable in Cleveland, as he shot inefficiently and struggled to fit into the offense.

"When you have two legends in your position who bring the ball up the court and play a lot of isolation, then it’s just difficult," Schroder said about playing alongside James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

Harden and Mitchell often isolate as they lead the Cavs' scoring attack. In 26 games with Cleveland, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from behind the arc.

Mitchell had a great season, averaging 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from deep.

Schroder said that he was in "an extremely difficult role" with the Cavs and feels that the Hornets will be "a better situation for me."

While many could take this as harsh criticism from Schroder, it makes sense. The ball is often in Harden and Mitchell's hands, but Cleveland wouldn't want to change that to get Schroder more touches. Harden and Mitchell are two of the best scoring guards in the league and the leaders of the Cavs' offense.

For Schroder, he now joins Charlotte, where he can be the lead ball-handler off the bench. He will be a better fit for their roster, and Cleveland now has more financial flexibility from the trade to pursue a player like Peyton Watson or Jonathan Kuminga.

Although Schroder didn't end up being a good fit for the Cavs roster, the front office can still take advantage of the move and upgrade the roster around their stars.