Despite remaining keen on allowing Malcolm Brogdon to remain as part of the franchise’s big-picture plans, the Indiana Pacers are reportedly open to trading him in the offseason as they continue bolstering their roster around their young core, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Following the arrival of Tyrese Haliburton, who has proven to be a solid foundational piece for the franchise moving forward with his tremendous upside, as well as the firm presence of Chris Duarte, a high-scoring rookie, the Pacers arguably have their backcourt of the near future as things currently stand.
With the upcoming NBA Draft looming, Indiana will also have a big chance at ramping up their retooling, paving the way for the front office to cut down on veteran commodities as they go full throttle on a youth movement.
Malcolm Brogdon could actively be on the trading block as the Indiana Pacers solidify their youth movement in the offseason
It remains to be seen if the Indiana Pacers are invested enough in their current crop of young players to steer clear from veteran cogs like Malcolm Brogdon, but with a unique offseason ahead of them, this could be a crucial opportunity for the franchise to completely reinvent themselves to garner assets in exchange for their win-now pieces.
While the Pacers have repeatedly voiced out their intent to be competitive s soon as the following season, given the state of the Eastern Conference, chasing low playoff berths could prove to be counterproductive. This roster clearly needs a full season together to develop chemistry as a group while growing individually. This is where retaining Malcolm Brogdon becomes a questionable decision.
Brogdon has been a key part of Indiana’s program in recent years, but the Pacers have been steadfast at allowing itself to ride where the point guard takes them. Despite having Haliburton to man the point, the 29-year-old has soaked the bulk of possessions, cannibalizing the young guard’s role to an extent when they share the court together.
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Should the Pacers pull the trigger and make Brogdon widely available for plucking in the offseason, he should attract a considerable number of suitors. While his health is a cause for concern for potential pursuers, his considerable roster control (three years remaining on his contract), consistent two-way production, experience, and leadership should easily make him a wanted commodity, especially for playoff teams.
Better yet, the front office could be in line for a great return for the heady playmaker, as they could realistically fetch a package of draft compensation or young talented players for his services.
While the Indiana Pacers enter an offseason filled with new question marks, the likes of which they haven’t encountered in a long while, the future of Malcolm Brogdon in the Circle City is truly something to closely monitor in the offseason.