While the rest of the NBA world has its eyes on the still-developing situation with NBA superstar Damian Lillard, quite a few impactful players have gone under the radar in their searches for new homes. If the Chicago Bulls have been paying close attention, they’ll know that one such situation is occurring in Boston right now.
That’s because tensions are rising between Malcolm Brogdon and the Celtics right now, and it remains to be seen if the two parties will be able to resolve things peacefully ahead of the season. After Boston traded for Brogdon one year ago, it appeared he was going to have a role as a starter on the roster moving forward, but so far that has not always been the case.
Brogdon outplayed his bench role with averages of 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game en route to winning his first-ever Sixth Man of the Year award. Despite his exemplary play and the fact the Celtics traded away starting guard Marcus Smart earlier this summer, Brogdon still doesn’t appear to be in line for a starting role next season. This situation, coupled with the fact Brogdon has been involved in more than his own fair share of trade rumors, has left things feeling uneasy in Boston.
CLNS Media’s Adam Kaufman reported on the situation, indicating that there may still be plans for the Boston Celtics to shake up the roster ahead of the 2023-24 season.
"“I have heard some whispers that the Celtics are still trying to trade him (Brogdon)… Malcolm Brogdon is maybe not being actively dangled by the Celtics, but I believe he is absolutely on the trade block.”"
If he hits the trade block, Malcolm Brogdon could be the playmaking point guard the Bulls have needed for so long.
Brogdon would be an obvious fit for the Bulls, as despite making three frontcourt signings this summer, Chicago still lacks a clear floor general to run the point. Brogdon is a net-positive three-point shooter and playmaker, and can even hold his own on the defensive side of things as well.
He may not have the chance to showcase these skills if he spends another season in Boston, however, as the Celtics seem content to allow Derrick White to continue handling starting point guard duties. Even when White rests, the Celtics feel confident in Jayson Tatum’s ability to become a true point-forward and spend even more time with the ball in his hands.
Jayson Tatum is expected to “spend a lot of time” at point guard this season with Malcolm Brogdon’s future in question, per @ramonashelburne. pic.twitter.com/7QpsOBk6KO
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 20, 2023
There has yet to be any indication of whether or not the Bulls would be interested in Brogdon, but you have to at least think they’d be monitoring this situation closely. Very few players offer the whole package like Lonzo Ball did, and this would be about as close to the real thing as they could ask for. Fortunately, it just might be Lonzo’s hefty contract that makes a trade like this possible for the Bulls in the future.