Dennis Schroder, a man who’s been traded more times than any of the Kardashians has been married, has a unique perspective on the NBA trade deadline. He’s seen it all the whispers, the anxious waits, and the gut-wrenching phone calls. So, when the bombshell dropped and the Dallas Mavericks shipped Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Schroder, much like the rest of us, was left scratching his head.
Dennis Schroder Says NBA Trades Are ‘Modern-Day Slavery’ Then Gets Traded: Coincidence or Payback?
Schroder, a veteran of eight teams in 12 seasons, has seen his fair share of locker-room drama. He’s been the new guy, the veteran leader, and everything in between. This trade deadline, however, felt different. It felt… personal.”It’s like modern-day slavery,” Schroder said.
He noted, “Not even Steph Curry’s safe probably when I see that. It’s a f**ked up business. It’s modern slavery at the end of the day. Everybody can decide where you’re going, even if you have a contract. Yeah, of course, we make a lot of money and we can feed our families, but at the end of the day if they say, ‘You’re not coming to work tomorrow, you’re going over there,’ they can decide that. They got to change that a little bit. But still grateful that we’re here and that we can live this every single day. I think everybody who’s in here is blessed. But if you really think about it, it is kind of crazy that the organization can tell you, ‘We want you to be team-first, but you’re going over there.’ It’s a lot. “
Schroder’s comments, while dramatic, might hit a nerve of many. Although, it is not confirmed if Schroder was traded for making this comment but for many fans, the Luka Doncic trade felt like a line had been crossed. It wasn’t just a player swap, it was a franchise-altering move that seemed to disregard the human element. It felt like a reminder that in the NBA, players are assets, not people.
This isn’t the first time the NBA has faced criticism for its treatment of players. Remember the Malice at the Palace? Or the infamous Grinch Who Stole Christmas trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the Denver Nuggets? These events, while different in nature, all highlight the power imbalance that exists between players and teams.
Schroder’s “modern-day slavery” comment might be hyperbolic, but it serves as a wake-up call. The NBA is a business, and like any business, there are profits to be made and deals to be struck. But at what cost?
ALSO READ: Did the Dallas Mavericks Pull a Monumental Blunder by Trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Luka Doncic trade has sparked a much-needed conversation about player rights and the power dynamics within the league. Is it time for a change? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Dennis Schroder, the veteran of a thousand trades, has spoken, and his words are resonating throughout the league.