Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges reacts to Dennis Schroder joining the Nets: "It's good to have him, and he'll fit right in"

Mikal has shown excitement for the arrival of Dennis Schroder to the Nets roster.

Marin Gabric

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Dennis Schroder is the biggest name in the trade business during the deadline. Brooklyn sent Spencer Dinwiddie for Schroder and Thadeus Young. It might appear to be a small move from an outside perspective, but this deal can stabilize a struggling Nets.

Brooklyn star Mikal Bridges believes this move was the right thing to do but admits he will miss playing with Dinwiddie and Royce O’Neale, who got traded to the Phoenix Suns in the team’s other deal.

“Imma miss my boys. Miss being around them every day and hope the best for them. But Dennis, I mean, playing against him for years, crafty, knows the game, wants to win, won at different stages,” Mikal said after the Nets lost to Cavs a few hours after the trade deadline. “It’s good to have him, he’ll fit right in, and help us since we’re obviously 20-31 so we need as much as help as we need.”

Mikal will benefit from having a point guard like Schroder

The German guard coming into the Nets roster is crucial to how Brooklyn will play for the rest of the season. Mikal will benefit from this because he has shouldered responsibilities as the go-to guy, but with Dennis’ arrival, he could alleviate the problems of Bridges getting gassed.

At the same time, Cameron Thomas will also benefit from this due to Dennis becoming the lead ball-handler. Mikal and Cam won’t be on the ball as much, so they could run around screens to find more open looks.

Brooklyn’s offense will benefit from this change because the players can run coach Jacque Vaughn’s preferred offensive style of ball movement and fast-paced transition play. Dennis has already averaged 6.1 assists per game in Toronto, but now, he will have two potent go-to guys to pass to with Bridges and Thomas.

Vaughn believes in Schroder’s playmaking ability too

Nest coach now has the optimal playmaker he wants on the team who can play in place of or alongside Ben Simmons. The organization is behind Coach JV’s preferred fast-paced style, and Schroder will be a big part of the plan.

“A guy that is gonna compete on a nightly basis. Has the ability to get into the paint. Thinks like a point guard where he’s sharing the basketball, getting the group set, and getting downhill,” Vaughn said before the game against Cleveland. “A guy who’s won at a high level with his national team and had commanded respect from that team and coaching staff. A guy I look forward to coaching because of the competitive nature that he’ll bring to our locker room.”

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Marin Gabric
MARIN GABRIC

Marin's love for writing developed in high school but was furthered in college when he took a number of creative writing courses. Doing sports writing felt like an extremely natural continuation, as it furthered his passions in both writing and basketball.  Marin loves the feeling of looking at stats after a game and analyzing what each team could've done better or what they excel in compared to the rest of the league. And the ability to do so for his favorite team, the Brooklyn Nets, is quite special in itself. 

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