The NBA world is rocked, again! A surprising trade has got fans buzzing—especially Lakers fans. After some back-and-forth, Dennis Schroder, a fan-favorite and former key contributor to the Lakers’ lineup, is reportedly headed to the Golden State Warriors. The move has sparked major reactions, and for good reason. What does it mean for everyone involved, and how did this deal come together?

Lakers fans seem livid about the news, and their frustration is palpable. Some are left scratching their heads, wondering how the LA side has missed out on getting Schroder in the Purple and Gold ranks. Let’s break down the trade, what it means for both teams, and what fans are saying about it.

The trade breakdown: Dennis Schroder joins Warriors in a shocking move

So, what’s this trade all about? As per Shams Charania, the Brooklyn Nets are finalizing a deal, sending guard Dennis Schroder, who’s raking in $13 million this season, to the Golden State Warriors. In return, the Bay Area side is giving up De’Anthony Melton and three second-round picks. Sounds like a pretty solid trade, doesn’t it?

Schroder, who had a decent run with the Lakers in the 2022-23 season, is a playmaking guard with a proven ability to score. His reputation further strengthened, especially when paired alongside stars like LeBron James. He’ll bring much-needed depth to the Warriors’ backcourt, offering a dynamic option as a ball handler and scorer. For Golden State, however, it’s all about adding more versatility to their offense and making sure they have the tools to compete in the highly competitive Western Conference.

But here’s where it gets interesting—the Lakers, who have been trying to bolster their roster, didn’t jump at the chance to bring Dennis Schroder back. Instead, the German hoopster heads to their conference rivals and Lakers fans are left scratching their heads. Was this a missed opportunity for LA? Or is Pelinka cooking up something bigger behind the scenes?

Lakers fans furious with Schroder trade: “Pelinka, what were you thinking?”

X (formerly Twitter) is absolutely blowing up with reactions like, “ROBERT PELINKA COUNT YOUR F*****G DAYS,” as Lakers fans vent their frustration over the team’s handling of Dennis Schroder. And honestly, it’s hard to blame them. The disappointment really stings, especially considering how well Dennis has been playing in recent times.

Let’s talk about what really has fans upset: Schroder was the captain of Team Germany during the FIBA World Cup, and he didn’t just play a supporting role—he led them to a gold medal, and Schroder was absolutely vital to that run. He was putting up 19.1 points, and 2 rebounds per game. And it wasn’t just the numbers—he was the guy directing the offense, stepping up in clutch moments, and keeping his team calm when the pressure was on. He wasn’t just a scorer; he was the glue that held everything together.

Then, fast forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Schroder was again a huge presence. He was playing with the same leadership and poise, making plays and showing everyone that he could still handle the big moments. Dennis’ recent performances only made Lakers fans more excited about having him back, and now… he’s gone to the Warriors. Fans are left asking, “Why didn’t Pelinka act sooner to lock him down?” With Schroder’s leadership and recent form, it feels like a missed opportunity.

The frustration is that Schroder was a key player for the Lakers once upon a time, and some fans feel Pelinka should’ve moved faster to keep him on the team. Now that he’s headed to the Warriors, people are wondering if he missed a big opportunity or if he’s quietly planning a bigger move to make up for it. Either way, Lakers fans are upset and eager to know what Pelinka’s next move will be.

Let’s be real: the heat is coming from Lakers fans right now. Some are absolutely livid about Pelinka’s move—or, more accurately, the lack of one. “Lakers would never get this deal. The Lakers tax is real,“ a fan tweeted, suggesting that other teams seem to make these kinds of deals while the LA side always seems to get the short end of the stick. It’s a frustration that’s been brewing for years…

Now, let’s talk about this whole “Lakers tax.”

It’s this running idea that teams somehow know they can lowball the Lakers, and they’ll still get a deal done. And yeah, if you look back at recent years, you can see why fans are upset. Take the 2019 Anthony Davis trade—a massive deal that cost the Lakers three first-round picks, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram. Sure, it worked out with the Lakers winning a title in 2020, but let’s be honest, the Pels got a solid return. Ingram has blossomed into a star, and Ball has shown his potential too. So while the Lakers got the superstar they wanted, did they give up too much in the long run? Fans are still asking that question.

Then, there’s the Carmelo Anthony signing. Melo came in on a minimum contract, showing he could still ball out, while other teams like the Phoenix Suns scooped up Chris Paul without the heavy price tag. It often feels like the Lakers either get stuck paying premium prices or they’re on the losing end of deals that other teams seem to easily pull off.

You’ve then got the other fans who are straight-up brushing it off like it’s nothing. “This don’t scare me or the Lakers one bit. L.A. 2025 champs,” one fan boldly declared, already looking ahead to next season. But even those fans can’t ignore the underlying disappointment—how could Pelinka not do better than this?

Some Lakers fans aren’t just upset with Pelinka—they’re throwing some serious shade at Brooklyn too. One fan posted, “Brooklyn LOVES getting fleeced in trades. Still can’t believe they traded James Harden for Ben Simmons.” And honestly, it’s hard to blame them. That trade is still one of the most head-scratching moves in recent NBA history. Harden, a proven MVP and elite scorer, got traded to the 76ers for Simmons, who hadn’t even played a game in months.

Simmons, on the other hand, was coming off a nightmare playoff series with the Sixers, and his struggles to regain form have been well-documented to this day! Brooklyn gave up one of the league’s best players and got someone who was a shell of his former self.

Then, there’s the infamous 2021 Russell Westbrook trade. Remember when the Lakers sent Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Wizards for Beastbrook, hoping he’d bring his MVP-level talent to LA?

Yeah, we know how that worked out. Westbrook never seemed to fit in with the Lakers’ system, and the trade quickly became one of the more baffling moves in recent NBA history.

Golden State might have gotten the guy they wanted, but fans are skeptical that Schroder will be able to make the system work. “L for the Warriors NGL, I don’t think he fits,” said another fan. But hey, the Warriors get a ball handler, and the Lakers? They’re left wondering if they missed something here. Either way, it’s tough to watch a player like Schroder move to a direct rival, especially to the Warriors. What do you think—did the Lakers drop the ball here?