Atlanta Hawks: 2017 NBA Trade Deadline Outlook
By Adam McGee
Untouchable
If there were any uncertainties over Dennis Schröder’s long-term future or worth to the Atlanta Hawks at the end of last season, a variety of factors should have forced them to subside in the time since.
With the decision to trade Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers in the lead-up to last summer’s NBA Draft, the Hawks effectively put their future in Schröder’s hands. Often plagued with inconsistencies up to that point, Schröder had still shown flashes of prodigious talent, and that proved enough for the Hawks to buy in on one of the youngest players on an aging roster.
In the time since, the German point guard has signed a four-year, $70 million extension with the Hawks. Although that remains a sizable investment, relative to many of the other extensions agreed upon in the current cap climate, the Hawks have reason to believe they tied Schröder up below the market rate.
Aside from his standing within the roster and the financials of his deal, most important of all in Schröder’s current value to the Hawks is his progress on the court. Having only recently turned 23, Schröder is tracking toward comfortably his best season in the NBA to date. Averaging career-highs in points, assists and rebounds per game, as well as field goal and free throw percentage, Schröder is looking more effective than ever before.
In short, for a team that isn’t exactly overflowing with long-term options, Schröder is a fundamental piece worth building around.