What Malcolm Brogdon’s career has looked like pre-Indiana Pacers

On opening night of free agency, it was reported the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks agreed on a deal that will send guard Malcolm Brogdon to Indianapolis.

Indiana Pacers fans are rejoicing at the Malcolm Brogdon news. Just a few nights ago, many fans were fearful of the free agency monster hiding under the bed. Would fans wake up to news “Scary” Terry Rozier would be bringing his brick factory to Naptown? Would they instead have to endure watching Ricky Rubio running the point and taking iffy contested mid-range jumpers for the foreseeable future?

Based on the rumors surrounding the Pacers, the outlook certainly began to look dreary. But those concerns and nightmares are moot now. Instead of the lit torches the angry mob was preparing in the days leading to July 1st, Pacer nation is cheering upon the arrival of possibly their best point guard since Mark Jackson.

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Milwaukee agreed to a sign-and-trade deal that nets Indy the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year in exchange for draft picks. The Pacers will send back a first-round pick and two future second-round picks in the deal. The move helps both squads as it kept the Bucks from losing their deadeye guard for nothing in return; meanwhile Kevin Pritchard exchanged loose coin for big bills in a huge acquisition for the franchise.

With the agreement between the division rivals, Brogdon reportedly will ink a 4 year/$85 million contract and become the second-highest paid player in Indiana Pacers history. With Victor Oladipo’s current deal staying at a constant $21 million annually, Brogdon’s contract will eventually make him the highest paid Pacer on a yearly basis, sans an early extension for the Pacers’ All-Star leader.

Pritchard went big game hunting this poaching season. He came home with a trophy as Pacers fans watched his majestic return through the kitchen window while he walked triumphantly with a 10-point buck over his shoulder to hang above the mantle.

In actual reality, the 26-year-old offers a lot more than just ten points over the fireplace. Coming off his best overall season, Brogdon averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for the team with the best record in the NBA last year. More impressively, he became only the ninth player in league history to join the 50-40-90 club – he shot 50.4% overall, 42.6% from deep, and converted on 92.8% of his foul shots.

Milwaukee’s efficient playmaker played a vital role alongside newly-crowned MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, in providing spacing around the perimeter that allowed room for the Greek Freak to drive into the paint. When his defender opted to transition into help defense, the point guard often made them pay by knocking down a three off a pass.

Despite being a key contributor for Milwaukee, other financial obligations were prioritized over retaining their young guard. Eric Bledsoe signed a multi-year extension in March, and hefty contracts to Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez in free agency meant retaining Brogdon wasn’t going to be achievable without the massive luxury tax payments that would have come along with the contract he commanded.

After spending 5 years at Virginia, where he earned both Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards during his senior year, the former Cavalier was selected 36th overall in the 2016 NBA draft. In his first three seasons with the Bucks, he averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while dropping nearly forty-two percent of his attempts from downtown.

At just 26 years of age, the Indiana Pacers’ new facilitator fits in perfectly with their young core… on paper. Now, we wait to see if this marriage ends happily-ever-after as the team attempts to rise as a major contender for a Finals appearance. Regardless, the future looks much brighter than it seemed merely a week ago with Malcolm Brogdon coming aboard on Night 1 of free agency.