A REAL BRO’MANCE
Pacers PG Brogdon could make big difference for Knicks, Nets & others
If the reports suggesting the Knicks are interested in trading for Pacers’ PG Malcolm Brogdon are true, they would be in the company of at least seven other teams who could benefit from a deal for Indiana’s floor general – including their rival across the Brooklyn bridge.
In what projects to be an NBA offseason period mirroring a game of musical chairs, Brogdon is the most interesting trade target in all of basketball. As talented as the veteran guard is on both ends of the floor, all indications point to the rebuilding Pacers dealing Brogdon to a playoff contender this summer. He has three more years left on his contract worth $67.6M, but entering age 30, does not fit into Indiana’s ostensible rebuilding timeline.
Brogdon fits for any team, however, that needs a player who can do three specific things: run the offense, hit open threes and defend multiple positions. If it sounds like a dream come true, here’s Brogdon’s nightmare: injuries. His games-played sheet looks more like a lottery ticket (36, 56, 54, 64, 48) than a player available for a full 82-game season.
That’s the risk a team’s going to have to take: A bet on Brogdon being healthy is a bet on a winning season. It also might be a bet on the piece that lifts a team to championship contention. Here are the teams that should be at least putting out feelers on what it would take to acquire the Pacers’ point guard in a trade:
KNICKS
If the last two seasons under head coach Tom Thibodeau told you anything about the Knicks, it’s that they, like many other teams, need a stable answer at their point guard spot. The Knicks have been eyeing incumbent Mavericks free agent Jalen Brunson, but Brogdon brings more size with a 6-foot-5, 220-pound, 6-foot-10 wingspan versus Brunson’s diminutive stature.
The Knicks have been monitoring Brogdon since last season, but he was ineligible to be traded because he signed a contract extension last offseason. A home-run deal with the Pacers also includes Myles Turner in a Brogdon deal, but it’s unclear if the Knicks have the assets to pull off such a move.
BEST OFFER: Alec Burks, Kemba Walker and a first-round pick (top10 protected in 2023, top-8 in 2024) for Brogdon – add Evan Fournier, Cam Reddish and additional pick consideration to include Turner
NETS
James Harden’s quick exodus from Brooklyn exposed one of the Nets’ biggest flaws: Harden was their point guard, and without that floor general on the floor, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were forced to both feed themselves and their teammates.
Ben Simmons could be the point guard in Brooklyn, but don’t be surprised if the Nets pop up in Brogdon trade rumors, either. A lineup with both Brogdon and Simmons sharing point guard responsibilities and defending the opposing team’s best perimeter scorers makes life easier for both Seven and Eleven to focus on what they’re best at: supercharging an offense and hitting big shots.
BEST OFFER: Joe Harris, Cam Thomas and a second-round pick
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Assuming Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy next season, the Clippers need the same thing the Nets do: a floor general who can also defend multiple positions and hit threes.
Reggie Jackson flourished with George and Leonard out with injuries, but his best role is coming off the bench as a scoring punch for a playoff contender. The Clippers have multiple chips they can use to put together a trade this summer and have already been linked to a potential deal with Houston for John Wall. They can use those same chips on Brogdon if they’re seeking a different flavor.
BEST OFFER: Luke Kennard,
Nic Batum and Jason Preston
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Russell Westbrook trade to the Lakers was never a good idea, and to compound matters, Westbrook’s contract makes him difficult to trade: He will earn $47M after one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. But the Lakers have already proven they don’t need a third star: They won in the bubble with LeBron James and Anthony Davis – and a bunch of other pieces that fit.
The Pacers have those pieces and should be able to trade Westbrook elsewhere for additional assets closer to the trade deadline or find an additional suitor to make this a three-team deal.
BEST OFFER: Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, Top-4 protected first-round pick in 2025 or 2026 for Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield
PHOENIX SUNS
If Chris Paul is retiring from basketball and the Suns still want to compete for a championship next season, their next best bet is a trade for Brogdon, because even though Paul won’t earn his $75M guaranteed salary over the next three years, it’ll still hit the Suns’ cap sheet. That’s not money they’ll be able to spend elsewhere. The collective bargaining agreement ensures it.
BEST OFFER: Landry Shamet, Dario Saric and a first-round pick
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans have accomplished objective No. 1: Build a team competitive enough to make Zion Williamson want to stay and play. Now it’s time for objective No. 2: Build a team that can compete for a championship.
Acquiring CJ McCollum legitimized the Pelicans as a playoff contender. Bringing Williamson back into the fold will make New Orleans scary, but not as scary as they’d be with a true point guard running the offense. Devont Graham is a flamethrower from downtown, but acquiring Brogdon shores the Pelicans’ defense and brings a high I.Q. playmaker into the fold.
BEST OFFER: Devonte Graham, Larry Nance and a second-round pick
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz have to shake things up, and Mike Conley is one of the likely suspects for a trade. Conley lacks size, which is especially detrimental on the defensive end because franchise cornerstone Donovan Mitchell also lacks size as the two guard. Conley grew up in Indianapolis and could be a mentor for Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker can play minutes for the Pacers immediately.
BEST DEAL: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and second-round pick consideration
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
A high I.Q. player like Brogdon paired with the league’s highest I.Q. coach in Gregg Popovich sounds like a match made in basketball heaven. The Spurs are also armed with cap space and could make a run at a player like Deandre Ayton this offseason. A deal for Brogdon could bring San Antonio back to the playoffs.