Sat Feb 08 10:50:00 UTC 2025: **Veteran NBA Player Dennis Schröder Calls Trade Deadline “Modern Slavery,” Advocates for Player Rights**

SAN FRANCISCO – Golden State Warriors guard Dennis Schröder, a 12-year NBA veteran with a history of being traded (five times, including once this season), has voiced strong opinions on the NBA trade deadline, calling it “modern slavery.” In an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area following a Warriors win, Schröder, 31, expressed his frustration with the system that allows teams to trade players regardless of their contracts.

Schröder, who has played for eight teams, acknowledges the financial benefits of his career but emphasizes the lack of player control. He pointed to the recent shocking trade of Luka Dončić as a prime example of the instability players face, highlighting that Dončić, despite his All-Star status and recent Finals appearance, lost millions due to the trade and the resulting change in his contract eligibility.

“Luka Dončić just got traded…and he can’t sign [his max contract] now because he got traded,” Schröder stated. “Nobody’s safe. Not even Steph Curry’s safe probably when I see that. It’s a f—ed up business.”

Schröder believes the current system puts undue stress on players and negatively impacts the league by overshadowing the games themselves. He advocates for changes within the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to provide more player protection, particularly for veterans with established records. He cited examples of his current teammates, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney, both being trade candidates despite significant contributions to the team.

“They have to write something in the CBA to get something fixed – a little bit,” Schröder said.

Despite the uncertainty, Schröder expressed his desire to remain with the Warriors, emphasizing the positive team atmosphere and the support he’s received from the organization. His family recently joined him in San Francisco after a month-long separation, and he believes this has positively impacted his on-court performance.

Schröder’s comments highlight a growing debate about player rights and the power imbalance in the NBA. His experience and perspective underscore the need for meaningful change within the league’s structure.

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