The Boston Celtics were on the verge of trading reigning NBA Sixth Man of the year Malcolm Brogdon to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team trade for Kristaps Porzingis. Instead, the deal fell through at the last minute and presents Boston with a critical concern moving forward.
Brogdon, age 30, was traded to Boston last summer in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick, Aaron Nesmith and Daniel Theis. The veteran guard proved to be a crucial piece of the Celtics’ success, averaging 0.161 Win Shares per 48 minutes.
- Malcolm Brogdon stats (2022-’23): 14.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG< 3.7 APG, 48.4% FG, 5.8 Win Shares
However, injuries have long been an issue during his NBA career. He played fewer than 60 games n his last three seasons with the Indian Pacers. In the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the veteran guard suffered an elbow injury that forced him out for two games and significantly impacted him when he was on the court.
On Wednesday night, Boston agreed to trade Brogdon to the Clippers with Kristaps Porzingis joining the Celtics and draft compensation headed to the Washington Wizards. However, it fell apart at the last minute.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up, Brian Windhorst disclosed that the Clippers backed out of the agreement on the three-team trade due to significant medical concerns with Brogdon.
“Malcolm Brogdon, who was a key piece going from Boston to the Los Angeles Clippers in this deal, Brogdon has a health issue. A health issue that, as I understand, is so significant that not only can the Celtics not do this trade, but there’s probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade they can do in the short-term.”
Brian Windhorst on Malcolm Brogdon injury preventing Los Angeles Clippers-Boston Celtics trade
- Malcolm Brogdon contract: $22.5 million salary (2023-’24), $22.5M salary (2024-’25)
Related: Boston Celtics land Kristaps Porzingis in blockbuster trade
While the Celtics eventually landed Porzingis, agreeing to a deal with the Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies, it cost them Marcus Smart. It meant the departure of a long-time veteran who provided defense and leadership in the locker room.
However, the concern for the Celtics now centers around Brogdon. The Clippers have been willing to take chances in the past on players with durability issues. Brogdon’s recovery from a partially torn tendon in his right forearm, though, clearly caused significant concern for Los Angeles.
With Brogdon owed more than $20 million next season and one NBA team already alarmed enough by his medical examination to back out on a deal, the Celtics will likely have to hold on to Brogdon after trying to trade him.