Indiana Pacers: List of potential Malcolm Brogdon suitors is shrinking

The bulk of the rumor mill involving the Indiana Pacers has been focused on the Malcolm Brogdon trade front. With a bevy of potential suitors for the veteran playmaker, the Blue and Gold is widely believed to part ways with him sooner than later.

However, considering the latest moves by reported suitors for Brogdon, it can now be safely assumed that they have backed out from acquiring him, setting the stage for the wild possibility that the Pacers fail to find a taker for his services.

The list of potential bidders for Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has been shrinking

Two teams earlier reported to be legitimately interested in pursuing a Malcolm Brogdon trade, the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards, are now increasingly unlikely to trade for him.

The Knicks, despite a lottery appearance, cleared up substantial cap space to use in free agency. They are now reported to be among the frontrunners for point guard Jalen Brunson, whom they are angling to sign to a hefty contract.

Meanwhile, the Wizards recently traded Ish Smith and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Nuggets for Will Barton and Monte Morris, shaving off the necessity for Brogdon especially if Bradley Beal skips town.

Other potential suitors can also be considered out of the running for Malcolm Brogdon. The Atlanta Hawks have just mortgaged their future to acquire Dejounte Murray from the Spurs. The Miami Heat may not deem Brogdon as much of an upgrade from Kyle Lowry.

However, the Pacers could still be able to bank on free agency circumstances and hope that a team’s interest on Malcolm Brogdon skyrockets in repose. For example, the Dallas Mavericks could be a good destination for him if they strike out on re-signing Brunson. The Utah Jazz could also line up for his services in light of Mike Conley’s obvious decline as long as they incentivize Indiana further.

Oh, and lastly, much to the detriment of fans, the Los Angeles Lakers have an outside chance to land him as part of a bigger package involving, well, Russell Westbrook.

The list of teams interested on Malcom Brogdon may have shrunk, but the Indiana Pacers simply have to adapt by being more reactive to the market and monitoring how teams could possibly sprout a need for him as free agency looms.