Dennis Schroder, Keita Bates-Diop getting acclimated to Nets
Nets guard Dennis Schroder, who was acquired earlier today in a trade with the Raptors, watches the action from the bench during the second half of an NBA game against the Cavaliers on Thursday at Barclays Center. Credit: AP/John Munson
Dennis Schroder and Keita Bates-Diop couldn’t be blamed for feeling rushed Saturday. They were in uniform 48 hours after being traded to the Nets.
“It’s honestly just been a blur,” said Bates-Diop, who arrived from Phoenix on Thursday night. “Just from when it happens, the flying out here, the time change, going through another media day and a half kind of practice [Friday].”
Bates-Diop was part of the deal that sent Royce O’Neale to the Suns. Schroder was able to make a quicker adjustment, watching the Nets from the bench in the second half on Thursday after flying in from Toronto.
Coach Jacque Vaughn expected to ease both players into Saturday’s game by being mindful of their minutes load. They’ll have more time to get acclimated on Monday when the team practices ahead of two consecutive games with the Celtics.
Schroder knows exactly how he’ll approach sharing point guard duties with Ben Simmons.
“I always try to be straightforward with guys and people. I want people to be the same way with me,” Schroder said Thursday. “If they see anything, what I can do better, just call it out, and then we go from there. That’s how I’ve been my whole career. And it’s just for, you know, great intentions, just for winning basketball.”
Schroder and Bates-Diop have been Lonnie Walker IV's teammate before, easing the transition to the locker room.
“A lot of the guys are around the same age, they move the ball, they play together,” Bates-Diop said. “I’m familiar with Lonnie, Cam [Johnson], Mikal [Bridges] from way, way back. So I’m excited to get ready with the guys.”
Dinwiddie to Lakers
Spencer Dinwiddie has found a new team. He’ll join the Los Angeles Lakers after appearing in 48 games with the Nets this season, posting averages of 12.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 30.7 minutes. On Thursday, the Nets traded Dinwiddie to the Raptors, who waived him. Dinwiddie, who reportedly is signing for $1.5 million, originally is from Los Angeles.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
