Dennis Schroder has never built his NBA career around superstardom, but the veteran point guard has become one of the league’s most recognizable journeymen. Now, following his trade to the Charlotte Hornets, Schroder is closing in on an unusual but remarkable piece of NBA history.
At just 32 years old, Dennis Schroder has already represented 12 different franchises across what is set to become his 14th NBA season. That puts him only one team away from matching the record for the most NBA teams played for in a career.
The current record belongs to Ish Smith, who played for 13 different NBA franchises during his career. Schroder has now joined the group of players who have appeared for 12 teams, and with several potentially productive seasons still ahead of him, the NBA record is firmly within reach.
Dennis Schroder one team away from NBA record
The move to Charlotte represents another chapter in an extraordinary career that has taken Dennis Schroder across the NBA.
Schroder began his journey with the Atlanta Hawks, spending five seasons with the franchise after entering the league in 2013. His spell in Atlanta remains the longest uninterrupted stint of his NBA career, giving him the opportunity to establish himself before becoming one of the league’s most frequently moved players.
After leaving the Hawks, Dennis Schroder played for the Oklahoma City Thunder between 2018 and 2020. He then began a remarkable run that saw him represent different teams almost every year.
His first spell with the Los Angeles Lakers came during the 2020-21 season, before he moved on to the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets during the 2021-22 campaign. Schroder later returned to the Lakers for the 2022-23 season, adding another chapter to his career in Los Angeles.
His journey continued with the Toronto Raptors in 2023-24 before an even more dramatic sequence of moves followed.
Between 2023 and 2025, Schroder played for the Brooklyn Nets. During the 2024-25 season, he also represented the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons, further increasing his total number of franchises.
The 2025-26 season added two more teams to his list, with Schroder playing for both the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Now, after being traded to the Hornets, Dennis Schroder is set to add Charlotte to an already extraordinary NBA resume.
Dennis Schroder’s journey across 12 NBA teams
Assuming he takes the court for Charlotte next season, Schroder’s career path will include the following 12 franchises:
- Atlanta Hawks, 2013-2018
- Oklahoma City Thunder, 2018-2020
- Los Angeles Lakers, 2020-21 and 2022-23
- Boston Celtics, 2021-22
- Houston Rockets, 2021-22
- Toronto Raptors, 2023-24
- Brooklyn Nets, 2023-25
- Golden State Warriors, 2024-25
- Detroit Pistons, 2024-25
- Sacramento Kings, 2025-26
- Cleveland Cavaliers, 2025-26
- Charlotte Hornets, beginning next season
That remarkable list leaves Dennis Schroder one franchise short of Ish Smith’s NBA record of 13 career teams.
Schroder is also now the active leader in this category. Garrett Temple, another player who reached 12 teams during his playing career, is no longer active after taking up an assistant coaching role with the Dallas Mavericks.
As a result, the Hornets guard has a realistic opportunity to make the record his own.
One future move to a 13th franchise would see Schroder match Smith. A subsequent move to a 14th team would give him the NBA record outright.
Given the way his career has unfolded, neither possibility would be particularly surprising.
Why Dennis Schroder could still break the NBA record
Reaching this milestone at 32 is particularly significant. Dennis Schroder is not approaching the end of his career as a player simply trying to hold onto a roster spot.
He remains a useful and experienced NBA guard, capable of contributing as a ball-handler, scorer and veteran presence. That means he could still have several seasons left in the league, giving him additional opportunities to add another franchise or two to his career history.
The modern NBA also makes player movement increasingly common. Trades, free agency, expiring contracts and shifting salary-cap situations can quickly change a player’s destination.
For a veteran such as Schroder, who has already demonstrated an ability to adapt to different systems and roles, frequent movement has become a defining feature of his career.
Some players spend their entire careers with one franchise and become synonymous with a single city. Others move occasionally before finding a long-term home elsewhere.
Dennis Schroder’s career has followed an entirely different path.
His ability to remain valuable to so many organisations has kept him in demand. Every move has presented a new challenge, but it has also demonstrated his capacity to continue finding opportunities across the league.
That is why the NBA record now appears genuinely attainable.
Hornets trade puts NBA record within touching distance
For now, the immediate focus will be on Schroder’s role with Charlotte. The Hornets have acquired an experienced player who can bring valuable NBA knowledge to the roster, while Schroder has another opportunity to prove that he remains capable of making an impact.
However, the bigger historical subplot will follow him throughout the season.
If Charlotte becomes the 12th team for which Dennis Schroder officially plays, he will stand alongside the small group of players who have represented the second-highest number of franchises in NBA history.
Only Ish Smith’s 13-team mark would remain ahead of him.
One more change of scenery could bring the record level. Another after that could place Schroder alone at the top.
For a player who has spent much of his career moving from one opportunity to another, it would be a fitting record to chase. Dennis Schroder may not have been an NBA superstar, but his longevity, adaptability and continued value have produced one of the most fascinating career journeys in the league.
Now, with the Hornets set to become another stop on that journey, Dennis Schroder is only one team away from matching an NBA record that once seemed far beyond reach.
