During an interview with Jason Quick of The Athletic, Malcolm Brogdon said he wanted to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers. The veteran also said he wasn’t “valued” with the Boston Celtics.
“I’m happy here. I’m valued here. Valued in this leadership/lead-guard role,’’ Brogdon said. “And I can’t complain with that. I’m happy in Portland. … When I was first traded, I viewed it as an opportunity. I really did. You can ask people around me how my energy was in training camp. I was excited to be here. I was excited to be with a championship coach. And I was excited to go from a place where I wasn’t as valued, and go to place where I am very valued.’’
The Celtics traded Brogdon to the Blazers in the Jrue Holiday deal last summer. Brogdon spent one season in Boston. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks and won the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
“I was there for a year, won Sixth Man of the Year, and they shipped me out,” Brogdon said. “So like … I didn’t feel very valued there. Here, I feel valued. Portland has embraced me. And I’ve enjoyed being coached by Chauncey (Billups).”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Several NBA teams are interested in acquiring Brogdon, who is averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks this season while shooting 44.2% from the field, 41.9% from 3 and 82.9% from the foul line. The Virginia product is controlling what he can control and focusing on the present.
“I don’t know what my future holds,’’ Brogdon said. “I don’t know if I’m going to be in Portland, I don’t know if I’m going to be elsewhere. It’s about me embracing the moment I have right here, and not worrying about anything else.’’
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Brogdon is making $22.5 million this season. He’ll make the same amount again in 2024-25 and enter unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2025.
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