Dennis Schroeder expressed strong optimism regarding his recent trade to the Charlotte Hornets, viewing the transition as a superior opportunity for his career. Speaking with Braunschweiger Zeitung during a Braunschweig Lions game on Sunday, the German national team captain revealed he had advance knowledge of the move. “I’ve known for a month. I think it’s a better situation for me from a sporting perspective,” he stated in an interview published Monday. The Braunschweig native reflected on his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, explaining the tactical difficulty of playing behind star teammates Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. “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,” he noted. Forced to adapt in the shadow of that duo, he described his assignment as ‘an extremely difficult role’. Despite those challenges, he remained satisfied with his stint in Ohio, which culminated in an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, an achievement he described simply as ‘cool’.
More on Dennis Schroeder: Recent HoopsHype Rumors
Shams Charania: 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 last couple months on the deal -- which also provides Cleveland with flexibility to continue pursuing roster moves and tax savings to keep them well under the second apron. — 8/14/2026 x.com
Shams Charania: Just in: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading Dennis Schroeder and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Tre Mann, sources tell ESPN. — 8/14/2026 x.com
Josh Lewenberg: Team No. 12 for Dennis! Assuming he suits up for Charlotte, he’ll be one team away from tying Ish Smith’s record. — 8/14/2026 x.com
Michael Scotto: HoopsHype first reported Charlotte’s interest in Dennis Schroder on July 22nd. “The Hornets have been linked with interest in Schroder, league sources told HoopsHype. Hornets exec Jeff Peterson is said to still be a fan of Schroder dating back to their time together in Atlanta.” — 8/14/2026 x.com
Yossi Gozlan: Dennis Schroder has now been traded 9 times. He’s now the second-most traded player in NBA history. — 8/14/2026 x.com
Yossi Gozlan: The Cavaliers free up $6.8 million in this swap. They’re approximately $30 million under the first apron with at least one open roster spot, one of which is for James Harden. They’re also $42 million under the second apron and could still increase payroll up to it. — 8/14/2026 x.com
Bobby Marks: To Cleveland Tre Mann: $8m, $8m (team) To Charlotte Dennis Schroder: $14.8m, $15.5m ($4.4 gty) — 8/14/2026 x.com
Bobby Marks: Swapping out Dennis Schroder for Tre Mann creates savings below the apron for Cleveland. First apron: $32m below Second apron: $44m below The figures do not include a new contract for James Harden. For now, Cleveland is likely to have the $6.1m tax midlevel exception. A sign-and-trade (incoming salary) hard caps them at apron 1. — 8/14/2026 x.com
Since around the time of the NBA Draft, the Cavs have held numerous discussions with teams about Schröder. In many of those trade frameworks, opposing executives were asking Cleveland to include draft capital as incentive for taking on Schröder’s bulky salary. Sources say multiple teams asked for a future first-rounder. The Cavs balked at that price, exploring other avenues that allowed them to preserve their limited assets. — 8/14/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
While sources say the Schröder deal is not specifically a prelude to another imminent move — either for Jonathan Kuminga or Peyton Watson, both of whom the Cavs remain interested in — it provides the kind of financial flexibility and optionality to help in that sign-and-trade pursuit. — 8/14/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Dennis Schroeder looking forward to Charlotte, says his role playing behind James Harden, Donovan Mitchell was 'extremely difficult'