While multiple reports have Malcolm Brogdon as one of the New York Knicks‘ trade targets, he’s not high on their list.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, “There hadn’t been any significant discussion between New York and Portland about Malcolm Brogdon as of late last week.”
With Brogdon beating Immanuel Quickley, the player the Knicks are looking to replace, in the Sixth Man of the Year race last season, he should be the perfect trade candidate.
The 32-year-old veteran guard is averaging better numbers than last season, albeit with a rebuilding team. In 33 games, including 19 starts for the Trail Blazers, Brogdon is producing 15.5 points and 5.3 assists while hitting a remarkable 42% of 5.1 3-point attempts.
For Brogdon’s caliber, Portland is just asking for a fair price.
“Rival executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe a fair asking price for Brogdon is a first-round pick and salary filler,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on January 18.
So why are the Knicks not in a rush to trade for Brogdon?
The Knicks are zeroing in on Toronto’s Bruce Brown, who was ahead of Donte DiVicenzo in their free agent board in the offseason.
Bruce Brown told me recently about his meeting with NY:
“Thibs has always been a fan of mine, even coming out the draft when he was with Minnesota."
Per source, Knicks top 2023 free agent target was Strus, then Brown, then DiVincenzo. https://t.co/us2HP9pHoj
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) January 17, 2024
Unlike Brogdon, who has a guaranteed $22.5 million contract, Brown offers more flexibility and fits the Knicks core’s timeline.
Brown has a $23 million team option for next season. If the Knicks acquire Brown, they can either pick up or decline that team option depending if a star trade becomes available on draft night. If they want to keep Brown, they can re-negotiate with him to for more guaranteed money and years at a lower annual salary.
Most importantly, Brown is five years younger than Brogdon and has proven himself in the biggest stage of the NBA.
Bruce Brown Fans Trade Rumors
Brown fueled the Knicks trade rumors with his lavish praise for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau and openly suggesting he could fit perfectly with the Knicks roster.
“I am a dog,” Brown told New York Post’s Jared Schwartz. “I play extremely hard on both ends of the floor. I can do just about whatever [Tom Thibodeau] needs me to do.”
“Every time we play Thibs, I go up to him and shake his hand, just because of what he’s done,” Brown added. “Nothing but respect for Thibs.”
The Knicks’ interest in Brown dates back to last free agency, where he parlayed his 6th Man role with last season’s champion Denver Nuggets into a $45 million, 2-year deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Heat Counter Knicks and Pacers Moves
Defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat countered the Knicks and Pacers’ moves with the Terry Rozier trade on Tuesday, January 23.
The Heat acquired Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets for Kyle Lowry and a lottery-protected 2027 first-round draft pick (unprotected in 2028 if it doesn’t convey in 2027), per multiple reports.
Pat Riley’s move came after the Knicks traded for OG Anunoby and the Pacers got Pascal Siakam to bolster their playoff-contending rosters.
The 29-year-old Rozier gives the Heat a much younger point guard who is in his prime. Rozier is averaging 23.2 points and 6.6 assists, both career highs, this season.
The Heat and the Pacers are currently tied for 6th to 7th seeds in the East with 24-19 records behind the Knicks (26-17) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-15).
The Knicks still have a move up their sleeve to separate themselves from the middle of the East’s playoff pack.
