Veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon, who was competing for a spot on the Knicks‘ roster this month, has decided to call it a career, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. According to Charania (via Twitter), Brogdon is retiring as a player.
Charania suggests (via Twitter) that Brogdon was on track to make New York’s regular season roster after joining the team on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract. However, the 32-year-old had been considering retirement and informed the Knicks on Wednesday of his decision.
“Today, I officially begin my transition out of my basketball career,” Brogdon wrote in a statement to ESPN. “I have proudly given my mind, body, and spirit to the game over the last few decades. With the many sacrifices it took to get here, I have received many rewards. I am deeply grateful to have arrived to this point on my own terms and now to be able to reap the benefits of my career with my family and friends. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all who have had a place in my journey.”
The 36th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Brogdon was named Rookie of the Year in 2017 with the Bucks and won a Sixth Man of the Year award with the Celtics in 2023. He spent three seasons in Milwaukee and three in Indiana before playing one year apiece in Boston, Portland, and Washington.
Considered a reliable contributor on both ends of the court, Brogdon had career averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 29.1 minutes per game across 463 total regular season outings, with a shooting line of .463/.388/.874.
Although he was a valuable rotation player when he was on the court, injuries were a recurring problem for Brogdon, who was reportedly medically red-flagged ahead of the 2016 draft due to concerns about his foot and later dealt with various knee and leg issues. After making 75 appearances as a rookie, he played more than 56 games just twice in the next eight seasons and never again cracked the 70-game mark.
Due to their hard cap situation, the Knicks would only have been able to keep one camp invitee out of a group that included Brogdon, Landry Shamet, and Garrison Mathews unless they were to make a cost-cutting trade within the next few days.
With Brogdon no longer in the mix, New York may simply decide between Shamet and Mathews, who are both receiving “strong” consideration for a regular season roster spot, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic (Twitter link). The team would still have to shed salary elsewhere in order to keep both players.
Fair enough, but why did he sign with the Knicks then? What changed between then and now?
He played basketball
Bargzzz:
A few preseason games told him he was done, but he didn’t know the end of last year? Just seems strange to me.
Lots can change dude. Maybe he figured after a good off-season he’d be physically and mentally ready – come to find out, he’s not.
He’s been carrying injuries his whole career. If he thinks it’s time to go, it’s time to go.
Cam:
I’d say the Knicks dodged a bullet then. If he’s not into anymore, you don’t want to bring him into the regular season.
What’s wrong with trying to pocket another chk lol.
He gave it a shot. Man …… he could be back by TD. Rockets need a PG desperately lol.
He left on his own terms.
His play on the court this preseason was not at the level he wanted.
Real 2K Insider:
Yeah, I get leaving on your own terms, it just seems weird to me that a few games of the preseason would tell him it’s time to go. But whatever.
Tell us all about him ….. which one is it now
He looked bad and was going to get cut. Not going to lie. I was wrong about him. I think the injury just caught up to him. He did not look good the last couple games. I’m not sure there’s another team that would have picked him up.
Too bad injuries are up so much of his career. I’m sure he realized that his body wasn’t right going into the season and decided to wrap it.
ROY, 6 MOTY, not bad for 36th pick.
He did not look good out there. He’s a mensch, though. Will make a great coach if he chooses
Agreed 100% on the coaching thing.
130+ millions
Kind of surprising. Most likely past/chronic injuries were nagging him and didn’t think playing through it was worth it
not surprised.. he was probably told that he wasn’t going to make the roster. the knicks have a bunch of guys playing for like 2 spots.
He was really good, I think he didnt want to worsen his injuries
Helluva career, very accomplished
LMAO he didn’t want to play for the Knicks.
Need the Nets’ Wolf, as well as (just waived) Timme
Well if he’s calling it quits. Means he hasn’t recovered from his injuries. Never thought he’d beat out Miles. Was hoping he’d bring out the best in Miles. McBride was ok. Kolek is the one who woke up. Like most Knicks fans expected from the beginning. Shamet and Diawara would be the choices.
“Ain’t that right Fake 2K”
Just so you learn Brogdon is a true PG. Who can also play the 2. Same as Miles although better when he was 100%. Miles still growing as a player.
Was very excited for him on the Knicks this season, but total respect for a great career and his decision.
Few people watched Washington play last season. But those of us who did knew that Brogon was not showing anything that could attract a team that competes for something. Not even on a vet minimum. Forget 6th man Brogdon, those days are gone.
I’m not surprised at all he retired, as I was sure he wouldn’t win a place on 15-man roster in NY.
From Washington’s perspective, taking on his salary in the Avdija trade turned out to be a poor piece of business as he occupied $22.5 million of cap space, and no one traded for him as an expiring contract. The team got caught by the fact that there just aren’t that many bad contracts in the NBA anymore, so nobody had players on bad enough deals on their hands to want to take Brogdon, who couldn’t contribute at all, and pay draft capital on top.
I encourage everyone to open the list of the highest salaries in the NBA right now, and look at it without prejudice or banter a la “Jalen Green’s contract is a disaster, Phoenix will have to pay multiple picks to get rid of him!” or “Jamal Murray worst contract than MPJ he’s dragging Denver down!11!!”. Look at people making 30+ mil, there are very few you would want to trade for “seasoned vets who can contribute”. That’s the reason why I don’t expect the team to get any value for CJ or Middleton in a trade. Nobody will send a bad contract to DC and attach a FRP for those guys.