NBA Trade Rumors: Blazers' Malcolm Brogdon Monitored by Teams Ahead of 2024 Draft
May 13, 2024
Portland Trail Blazers veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon is a potential trade candidate leading up to the 2024 NBA draft.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Monday that "rival executives" are "monitoring" Brogdon ahead of the draft, as the Trail Blazers could move the 31-year-old and prioritize the development of younger guards such as Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson.
Brogdon will carry a $22.5 million cap hit entering his 2024-25 campaign before he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the following offseason (via Spotrac).
Brogdon joined Portland ahead of the 2023-24 season in a trade with the Boston Celtics, appearing in just 39 games which included 25 starts due to an elbow injury.
The former Sixth Man of the Year averaged a modest 15.7 points and 5.5 assists each night, shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three. Despite the Trail Blazers' 21-61 overall record, Brogdon owned the highest net rating on the roster among players to appear in at least 20 games (via NBA.com).
NBA @NBAMalcolm Brogdon hit clutch back-to-back 3s in OT to push Portland past the Nets in a thriller!<a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a> 134<a href="https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrooklynNets</a> 127<br><br>FINAL <a href="https://t.co/rHbjcygnrj">pic.twitter.com/rHbjcygnrj</a>
He's shown that he can contribute to teams with playoff aspirations, making the postseason with three separate organizations throughout his career. Brogdon is also extremely versatile as both a starter and a reserve, remaining effective with and without the ball in his hands.
While his name appeared in rumors prior to the Feb. 8 trade deadline, the veteran expressed his contentment with staying in Portland.
"I'm happy here," Brogdon told Jason Quick of The Athletic. "I'm valued here. Valued in this leadership/lead-guard role. And I can't complain with that. I'm happy in Portland.''
However, the Trail Blazers' front office could choose to move him in exchange for some extra draft capital as he enters the final year of his contract.
Portland already owns the No. 7 and No. 14 picks in the first round of the 2024 draft and could add a later selection if the team decides to pursue a trade.
