After the breaking news frenzy during the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, the Portland Trail Blazers are keeping Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.
The Trail Blazers acquired Brogdon from the Boston Celtics in the offseason. Although it seemed inevitable Portland would flip him eventually, it appears Brogdon has enjoyed his stint with the Trail Blazers:
“I’m happy here. I’m valued here. Valued in this leadership/lead-guard role,’’ Brogdon told The Athletic. “And I can’t complain with that. I’m happy in Portland.’’
While with the Trail Blazers, Brogdon averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Additionally, the 31-year-old is shooting 44% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc.
NBA News: Portland Trail Blazers Keep Malcolm Brogdon
Why Portland Was Expected to Trade Malcolm Brogdon
Though he’s had a solid role in Portland, the belief from the beginning was that he did not fit their long-term timeline. The 15-35 Trail Blazers are a young team. In fact, entering this season, the Trail Blazers were the fourth-youngest team in the NBA. After trading long-time franchise star Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, expectations were that the Trail Blazers were not contending for a championship for a few years at least.
Furthermore, the Trail Blazers already have a young, potential-filled backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons. At 20 and 25 years old, respectively, these two young guards will likely be cornerstones of the franchise for years to come. Trading Brogdon to a team better suited to win a championship would have allowed Henderson and Simons to take the reigns as soon as possible and speed up their development.
Lastly, Brogdon appeared in many trade rumors this season and was a hot commodity.
What Does Malcolm Brogdon Bring to the Table?
Brogdon’s biggest strength is his offensive game. A career 39.1% three-point shooter, Brogdon has shown he can consistently score from the perimeter. Additionally, Brogdon has solid playmaking ability and can play both guard positions. Plus, it appears Brogdon is a “leader” in the locker room, per Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups:
When asked by HoopsHype what Malcolm Brogdon has meant to Portland this season, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups replied, “He’s like our voice and one of our leaders. When he talks, you listen. He’s in a tough spot here. He’s coming off the bench, and sometimes he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. He’s a point guard, but he understands where we’re at and what we’re doing. When he plays, he’s always a plus player. I love having him here. He’s an extension of me out there and in that locker room. He’s a leader. His presence is felt every day.”
On the flip side, however, Brogdon’s injury history since joining the NBA is not news. Plus, his defense has taken a huge step back in recent years. Regardless, Brogdon is still a serviceable defender and has missed just a handful of games this season. These are not deal-breaking concerns.
Brogdon is a good, consistent guard who would help out almost any team in the league. Brogdon’s offense and leadership skills will continue to be valuable for Portland for the foreseeable future.
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