A fan’s perspective

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Go bag

Your definition might be different from mine, for me a go bag is a suitcase containing items allowing you to travel from home. Does Dennis Schröder have a go bag, we don’t know for sure but that might be a good guess. Schröder is about to join NBA team number 12 as the Cavs have traded him to the Hornets. You might ask that for which team’s Schröder has played.  After playing in Europe he was drafted by the NBA Hawks in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft, from that point on Schröder moved to a succession of teams. He spent 5 seasons in Atlanta, then two with the Thunder, a single season with the Celtics.

He divided the next two seasons with the Rockets and Lakers. His time was divided once again during the next two seasons between the Raptors, Nets and Warriors. Time was split over the next three seasons with the Pistons, Kings, Cavs and when training camp opens in the fall it will be the Hornets. Over his lengthy career I’ve never read or heard any negative reports regarding Schröder’s conduct, it just appeared he would often become part of a trade. By the way Schröder does not hold the NBA record for most teams played, that belongs to Ish Smith with 13. With only one team behind Smith it might be a good idea for Schröder to pack a go bag.

It’s for life

Nothing is set in stone however Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. indicates Steph Curry is likely to finish his career with the Warriors. We can associate the names of Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Magic Johnson who spent their careers with the team that drafted them. There are certainly others but without additional those named come to mind which I can provide without the need of research. As for other All Star NBA players their careers have been quite different. There are several so closely associated with one team most fans believe that is the only team the individual was a member. We begin this exercise with the name of Michael Jordan.

MJ is so closely identified with the Bulls its often forgotten he retired then unretired and began play for the Wizards. Patrick Ewing is always associated with the Knicks although late in his career he played for the Sonics, and Magic. The Dream, Hakeem Olajuwon is thought of as a Rocket, he left Houston to play for the Raptors for a season. Some of the all-time greats have traveled extensively playing for a succession of NBA teams. Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James have played for a considerable number of teams and their moves had nothing to do with their on-court talent. The majority of these frequent moves occurred through free-agency rather than trades as it once did.    

Which one earns it

This is not set in stone but check out the story anyway, LeBron is gone but not Bronny. At least that would be the case as this is written August 10, what you are about to read is certainly not official. It does not come from JJ Redick or any member of the Laker coaching staff. Chris Mañon is the competition for Bronny for what might be the final guard position on the roster, you are familiar with Bronny’s bio but not his opposition. Mañon is on a two-way contract with the Lakers, he played at Cornell and Vanderbilt but went undrafted in 2025.

Because I am unfamiliar with Mañon’s play at the collegiate level I have only his time there as judgement. The numbers at both schools would appear average or slightly below that. Last season while playing for the Warriors Summer League team he scored 55 points in a single game. We know the story regarding Bronny and this is what I read a few weeks ago. There are a few in the media who expressed the belief he would have benefited by an additional summer of play. This would prove interesting, if Bronny wins the roster position we’ll know it’s not due to his father who is no longer on the roster. The battle for the final spot in training camp should prove interesting.

Nothing’s getting fixed 

The headline represents the words of former Michigan basketball coach Dusty May, the question, was success at the college level too difficult to maintain? It was his decision but I wondered why May (other than money) would leave a successful Michigan basketball program. This move was made within a short time of his Wolverines winning the 2026 NCAA championship. Of course most reading this are aware the Dallas Mavs decided to change coaches, Jason Kidd was let go and he was replaced by May. The coach indicated he was so excited about attending Big 10 spring meetings. “We’re going to find some solutions.” I go there and I was just like, “Oh my God, nothing’s getting fixed. Ever.”

The issue May referred to was NIL and the transfer portal, both of which now play major roles in college basketball recruiting. As May put it: “Even when you sign prospects, you’re not really signed; to me, that is the biggest issue.” Colleges no longer lose players only to graduation, academic eligibility, or similar circumstances. Today, players can simply walk away from a program because they believe it gives them a better chance to secure their future. I have no problem with athletes trying to look out for themselves, but NIL and the portal appear to have created a problem of enormous proportions. Do I have an answer? Of course not—I’m not that smart. Still, I believe men’s college basketball faces a serious issue in this era unless there are decisions to be made by those in charge.