PORTLAND — Trail Blazers point guard Malcolm Brodgon figures to be one of the hottest names on the NBA trade market. But the 31-year old veteran says he is not pushing to leave Portland.
“I’m happy here. I’m valued here. Valued in this leadership/lead-guard role,’’ Brogdon told The Athletic. “And I can’t complain with that. I’m happy in Portland.’’
The past two trade deadlines, Portland general manager Joe Cronin has worked with veterans to facilitate trades to preferred destinations, sending CJ McCollum to New Orleans in 2022 and Josh Hart to New York in 2023. But Brogdon, on Monday, said he has yet to have that conversation with Cronin.
“And honestly, that isn’t even something I’ve been focused on,’’ Brogdon said. “We haven’t really talked about that. Of course, I’m sure they are looking at their options, but for me, it’s all about using every opportunity to play good basketball and help this team win.’’
When the Blazers acquired Brogdon from the Boston Celtics in September as part of the Jrue Holiday trade, it was easy to wonder if they’d quickly flip him to another team. Brogdon, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winner, is viewed as a hot commodity for contending teams that need depth at point guard and a valuable asset for a Portland team that could use draft picks or young players as the franchise tries to find its footing in the third year of a painful rebuild. Brogdon is under contract through the 2024-25 season, making $22.5 million this season and next season.
Instead, the team discovered Brogdon relished the role of mentor and appreciated the love and acceptance the Blazers were showing him.
As much as Portland could use more talent in a trade of Brogdon, the Blazers’ locker room is sorely lacking experience, maturity and savvy, all traits Brogdon brings. For as good as Brogdon has been on the court – he is averaging 15.9 points and 5.5 assists in 28 minutes this season, starting 23 of 37 games — he has been even more valuable as a mentor to rookie Scoot Henderson and the rest of the young Blazers.
“When I was first traded, I viewed it as an opportunity. I really did,’’ Brogdon said. “You can ask people around me how my energy was in training camp. I was excited to be here. I was excited to be with a championship coach. And I was excited to go from a place where I wasn’t as valued, and go to place where I am very valued.’’
Wait … he didn’t feel valued in Boston, where he won the Sixth Man Award?
“At times. At times,’’ Brogdon said. “I was there for a year, won Sixth Man of the Year, and they shipped me out. So like … I didn’t feel very valued there. Here, I feel valued. Portland has embraced me. And I’ve enjoyed being coached by Chauncey (Billups).’’
GO DEEPER
As Celtics trade for Jrue Holiday, Malcolm Brogdon saga comes to an end
As the Feb. 8 deadline approaches, Brogdon says he will continue to focus on his play, not his future, an approach that has reaped benefits for the Blazers (14-33). In his last six games, Brogdon is averaging 21.7 points and 7.2 assists while shooting 46.7 percent from 3.
“I don’t know what my future holds,’’ Brogdon said. “I don’t know if I’m going to be in Portland, I don’t know if I’m going to be elsewhere. It’s about me embracing the moment I have right here, and not worrying about anything else.’’
Required reading
(Top photo: Troy Wayrynen / USA Today)
This article was originally published by a theathletic.com . Read the Original article here. .