Since the NBA trade deadline chatter kicked off in earnest, the most bandied about names involving the Portland Trail Blazers have been Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant.
The closer the deadline gets, the more it seems like Grant is staying put while Brogdon will be shipped off to a contender in need of a versatile guard with postseason experience. The 31-year-old has been linked to teams such as the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Dealing Brogdon for a first-round pick or a young player makes sense for a Portland franchise that will be going into full "developmental mode" (aka tanking) and letting young cornerstones Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons soak up most of the team's backcourt minutes.
Based on the latest scuttlebutt, though, there appears to be a chance Brogdon stays in Rip City.
Some Blazers trade rumors say Malcolm Brogdon may stay past the NBA trade deadline
There are conflicting reports about Brogdon's future with the Trail Blazers.
Some rumors say the Knicks, Lakers and even the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves have interest in last season's Sixth Man of the Year. But as they say, it takes two to tango, and Portland may be reluctant to let their best veteran leader go.
In an update to his trade deadline buzz running diary, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski - after listing teams' interest in Brogdon - writes, "but the team likes having the guard's presence on a young squad."
So, the Blazers apparently have some hesitation in dealing their backcourt adult.
Earlier this month, Brogdon himself spoke with HoopsHype's Michael Scotto about the possibility of being traded:
"At times, it’s been tough, but there’s something very gratifying about coming to a team where your voice and leadership is really valued and you play a different role. I’m embracing that role. I enjoy playing with these young guys. They’re hungry and want to win. They’re incredibly coachable. More than anything, I enjoy being under Chauncey’s wing and being coached by him. I have the most respect for him. He’s a guy I’d run through a wall for."Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon
So Malcolm's own interest in potentially remaining in Portland coupled with Woj's report that the Blazers are reluctant to let him go add up to a possibility that, even though a trade makes real sense, there's a chance Brogdon is still a member of the Trail Blazers on Feb. 9.
It could simply be posturing from Portland's perspective with general manager Joe Cronin essentially saying, "Hey, we're willing to keep him if you're not going to offer us enough," in an effort to drive up the price. Regardless, the idea of keeping Brogdon is questionable at best and an awful mistake at worst.