With Malcolm Brogdon now considered an expendable piece for the Indiana Pacers after the Tyrese Haliburton trade, the veteran floor general is expected to garner a lot of traction from opposing teams on the trade market.
One team that has been reported to express some interest in the former Rookie of the Year is the Washington Wizards, which remain firm on competing now with Bradley Beal expected to re-sign with them on a max deal despite clearly lagging behind their competitors in the East.
Story on Malcolm Brogdon and the Washington Wizards showing interest in the Pacers' guard. https://t.co/sqrqPBi4Jd
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 23, 2022
With the Wiz lacking a solid point guard to pair with Beal, their interest in Brogdon is certainly not surprising. However, what is Washington’s brass willing to part with in order to entice the Pacers into engaging in a possible trade?
The Indiana Pacers could get both immediate and future assets for Malcolm Brogdon from the Washington Wizards
If the Washington Wizards are dead serious about acquiring Malcolm Brogdon, they will have to beat out competitors and distinguish themselves from the pack by giving the Indiana Pacers some immediate contributors, instead of simply sticking by the conventional salary filler + draft capital return. After all, the heady playmaker is under contract for the next three seasons.
It remains to be seen how willing the Wizards are to part with their lottery pick this year, but with them housing some young prospects of their own anyway, they may not be too keen about gatekeeping a rookie at the expense of getting a solid chance at a fringe All-Star like Brogdon, who should fit perfectly next to Beal with his playmaking, scoring, and defensive versatility.
Nevertheless, Washington is in possession of all their first-rounders from 2024 onwards, arming them with the right draft capital to pique the Pacers’ interest. The tricky part, however, is plucking among the Wizards’ relatively expendable players to secure the deal.
One option could be Kyle Kuzma, a player who fills a position of need for Indiana. After his stock took a hit in Los Angeles, the incoming sixth-year player turned in perhaps his best season in Washington in the recently concluded campaign, solidifying himself as one of the better all-around players in the league. However, the Wizards’ increasing interest in him could encumber a potential re-routing to Indy.
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If so, the Pacers could seek Rui Hachimura, the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft whose role with the Wizards has taken a hit in account of Kuzma’s reemergence and the increasing role of Deni Avdija. Not only does he fill a need for Indiana, but he also fits the roster’s timeline as he is only 24 years old.
Oh, and speaking of Avdija, he may not be the most untouchable cog for Washington, but he is certainly someone they would much rather prefer to keep.
To sweeten the pot, the Wizards could fully guarantee Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s contract and send him to the Pacers to match salaries. While he is treated as a salary filler of some sorts, he is a great role player who can play in different doses as a bona fide three-and-D veteran.
The Indiana Pacers may be parting soon with Malcolm Brogdon after a short three-year partnership, but fortunately, there should be little room for grief, as many teams, like the Washington Wizards, could be willing to absorb his contract in exchange for some immediate and future assets.