Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James addressed the recent trade that sent his former Lakers teammate Dennis Schröder to the Cleveland Cavaliers, offering insights into how the move could impact Cleveland’s Eastern Conference aspirations this season.
The remarks, made on the “Mind the Game” podcast, reflect James‘ respect for the veteran guard, while also highlighting his evaluation of the Cavaliers‘ roster construction following a flurry of trades.
Schroder, a 13-year NBA veteran, was recently traded from the Sacramento Kings to Cleveland as part of a three-team deal that also brought back guard Keon Ellis.
The move came on the heels of the Cavaliers‘ acquisition of superstar James Harden, creating significant buzz around the organization’s postseason trajectory.
In his comments, James – a four-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer – didn’t hold back his optimism about Cleveland‘s new pieces, particularly praising Schröder’s capabilities on both ends of the floor.
“Those pickups that they got from SAC as well. Schröder a former teammate of mine. You know that’s gonna compete every single night… Keon Ellis, guy that’s gonna compete and make shots,” he said.
“Those guys are gonna be I think really, really good for that team… You gotta have some dogs in there, so I think they added a lot.”
Schroder finds second wind
Schroder is 32 years old but continues to be highly productive, averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, although he’s shooting just 32.6 percent from three-point range in 44 appearances.
Over his extensive career, Schröder has posted career averages of 13.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists across 886 games, with shooting splits of 43.0 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from three.
James’ reaction to the trade reflects a broader acknowledgment of the way veteran additions can reshape a contender’s identity. Cleveland is fresh off a season where it finished as the Eastern Conference’s first seed only to fall in the second round of the playoffs.
The team appears intent on deepening its roster around franchise cornerstone Donovan Mitchell.
Cleveland‘s recent moves mark a clear pivot from last season’s strategy, and James‘ perspective as a seasoned veteran and occasional rival offers useful context for how the league perceives the Cavs.
Having once starred for the Cavs early in his career and led the franchise to its lone NBA championship, James has long watched roster decisions in Cleveland with interest.
While much of the discourse around the Cavs in recent weeks has centered on the Harden trade and the club’s perceived title window, James‘ comments highlight the often-underrated role of role players like Schröder and Ellis in balancing a championship hopeful’s rotation.
Cavaliers adding experienced heads to roster
The Cavaliers‘ current record sits at 34-21 through 55 games, placing them among the league’s upper echelon with sights set firmly on deep playoff success.
Adding experienced wings and ballhandlers can be invaluable in high-pressure postseason scenarios, where depth often separates championship contenders from pretenders.
James himself has weathered countless roster permutations throughout his legendary career, from building around All-Stars like Anthony Davis in Los Angeles to adjusting to the departure or arrival of stars across different franchises.
His endorsement of the Cavs’ latest acquisitions serves as a subtle but notable nod to the value of team balance – especially when blending scoring, defense and veteran leadership.
In praising Schröder and Ellis, James shows that championship dreams are built not just on marquee names, but on complementary talent that can grind, defend and make timely plays when the stakes are highest.
