Rockets Interested In Acquiring Malcolm Brogdon From Blazers

The Houston Rockets are interested in acquiring Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

However, the Rockets and Blazers have not held significant conversations and Portland has thus far indicated it plans to keep Brogdon as part of its rebuild in the post-Damian Lillard era.

“Sources said Houston has also eyed veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon, who was traded recently to Portland in the Celtics’ acquisition of All-Star Jrue Holiday, although the Trail Blazers and Rockets have not held significant conversations,” Fischer wrote in his NBA trade column. “The Blazers have so far indicated they plan to keep Brogdon as part of their rebuild, and Brogdon recently refuted any notion he was looking for an exit from the franchise.”

Brogdon won the Sixth Man of the Year Award last season. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 67 games for the Boston Celtics while shooting 48.4% from the field, 44.4% from beyond the arc and 87.0% from the free-throw line.

Brogdon signed a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Indiana Pacers in October 2021. He’ll make $22.5 million this season. The 30-year-old wasn’t happy with how the Celtics handled his elbow injury and was open to getting traded.

Brogdon has career NBA averages of 15.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists with the Milwaukee Bucks, Pacers and Celtics. It will be fascinating to see if the Blazers keep or trade the veteran.

The Rockets signed Fred VanVleet this offseason in free agency. They are expected to start VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün.