The NBA trade deadline is full of tension, especially for players who constantly switch teams. Dennis Schröder, a veteran who has been on the carousel too many times, again found himself caught up in a whirlwind as he was traded for the third time in 18 hours after being sent to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for KJ Martin, Josh Richardson, and a 2028 second-round pick.

But Schröder is concerned about the trade system within the league, going as far as to label it "modern slavery."

A Career Defined by NBA Trades

Dennis Schröder Calls NBA Trade Deadline ' Modern Slavery' After Dennis Schröder Calls NBA Trade Deadline ' Modern Slavery' After
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Schröder, entering his 12th season, understands the NBA trade deadline like few others. With eight different teams, he's seen the emotional and professional costs that accompany a constant series of relocations.

"At the end of the day, your salary stays the same," Schröder told NBC Sports Bay Area. "You go to a different city, but that's not a real problem. It's a business at the end of the day."

While Schröder recognizes the monetary benefits of being an NBA player, he believes the trade system takes away players' control over their careers. He points out that organizations can move players without their consent, which disrupts their lives and stability.

Schröder Did Not Expect Luka to be Traded

Schröder was shocked by the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncić to the Los Angeles Lakers. He said that if a guy like Luka, a superstar, can be traded easily, nobody is safe. The German guard added that the former Mavs player is losing the supermax deal now.

Doncić would have had the five-year, $345 million supermax extension with the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers, having traded for him, can now only offer a five-year, $229 million deal.

The Harsh Reality of the Trade Deadline

Schröder does not treat the trade deadline as just the time of changes in the rosters. Rather, it is an event that overshadows the actual game. He points out that it's just about business.

But beneath the hype, Schröder sees the problem as systemic. He says players, even those who are under contract, have little control over their own destiny.

"It's modern slavery," he said. "You sign a contract, but the organization can still trade you whenever they want. Yes, we make good money, but at the end of the day, they control where you go."

Should the NBA Update Its Trading Rules?

Schröder calls for reforms in the NBA's CBA so that players get better security. He said that even Wiggins, who was almost the 2022 NBA Finals MVP, is on a trade block. The same goes for Kevon Looney.

Although the NBA is a player-driven league, ownership and front-office executives retain the final say. Schröder thinks there should be a balance between business and loyalty.

Life Beyond the Trade Chaos

Schröder continues to be focused on his career and family. His wife and children joined him in San Francisco upon his signing with the Warriors; he admits that their presence has positively impacted his game.