3 Malcolm Brogdon trades that make sense for the Trail Blazers
The veteran guard is the most likely Portland player to be moved at this year's trade deadline. What kind of return might the Blazers expect?
There are a few logical moves available to the Portland Trail Blazers as we inch closer to the 2024 NBA trade deadline, some more likely than others. Matisse Thybulle would be an in-demand three-and-D wing if general manager Joe Cronin decides he's acquirable. Jerami Grant would help a contending team. Dealing Anfernee Simons would be a massive shakeup.
What makes the most sense, though, is a Malcolm Brogdon trade.
The Trail Blazers will likely deal Malcolm Brogdon before the deadline
Portland acquired the 31-year-old guard in part B of the Damian Lillard trade when Cronin flipped Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics for Brogdon, Robert Williams III and draft picks. The veteran guard has done exactly what the Blazers needed him to do - be a buffer between 19-year-old rookie Scoot Henderson and the expectations facing a No. 3 overall pick.
Brogdon has played in 30 games this season, starting 16, and has been his usual efficient self. Last year's Sixth Man of the Year Award winner is averaging 14.7 points and 5.1 assists while shooting 41.3 percent from three on more than 5 attempts per game.
As Portland's backcourt has gotten healthy, though, and Henderson has taken the reigns more as the starting point guard, Brogdon's role and minutes have dwindled. He hasn't started since Jan. 3 and is averaging only 19.2 minutes since the calendar turned to 2024.
His skill set as a big guard who can lead an offense or play off the ball and defend multiple positions makes it easy to see why Brogdon would be attractive as a complementary piece on a contending team. He'll also come far cheaper than some of the bigger names on the trade market; he's reportedly available for a late first-round pick.
If he is moved at some point before the end of the day on Feb. 8, what kind of return could the Trail Blazers expect? Here are three possibilities that make sense from a Portland perspective.