After a disappointing finish to the season, the Boston Celtics are looking to retool this offseason. While one potential way to shake up the roster would be to trade All-NBA Second Team member Jaylen Brown, a much easier trade to make would be trading away Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon.
Brogdon was acquired last offseason and is set to make $22.5 million this coming season. While on paper it might seem like a bad idea to trade Brogdon after one good season with the team, Brogdon has a heavy injury history and hasn’t consistently shot as well from three as he did this past season.
Essentially, now would be a great time to sell high on the 30-year-old combo guard, especially if Brad Stevens feels a roster shuffle is necessary. Regarding a Malcolm Brogdon trade, there are multiple trade types the Celtics can pursue.
Boston Celtics’ too-little trade package
While the Boston Celtics should theoretically sell high, it’s also possible Brogdon’s value around the league isn’t as high as you’d expect from last year’s 6MOY winner. If the Celtics feel it is necessary to swap a wing for a guard and free up playing time for Payton Pritchard, then a trade like this may make some sense.
On paper, it’s not a bad trade. The Celtics would be trading Brogdon for a good 3-and-D wing in Finney-Smith and also getting back Patty Mills, a good veteran presence and shooter off the bench.
However, the Celtics can get more for Brogdon than this, especially if they package him with other pieces and/or picks. DFS is under contract for one extra year and is worth less money than Brogdon, making the 30-year-old potentially a better asset to have down the line.
However, if the Celtics are trying to improve the team and make another run at a title next season, this trade doesn’t achieve a whole lot. Rather than improving the roster, it just makes the roster different. Combine that with DFS’s 3-point shot declining last season, and I don’t see the Celtics agreeing to this trade after some consideration.
For the Nets, they are already wing-heavy, especially if they resign Cam Johnson, so trading for Brogdon and improving their ball-handling and playmaking would be helpful to help balance the roster. From a value standpoint, they win the trade.
This seems like a trade package the Nets could approach the C’s with, but would likely be trumped by offers from other teams.
Rotations After Trade
Celtics
PG: White, Smart
SG: Brown, Pritchard
SF: Tatum, DFS
PF: Grant, Gallo
C: Rob, Horford
Nets
PG: Dinwiddie, Curry
SG: Brogdon, Harris
SF: Bridges, Thomas
PF: Johnson, O’Neale
C: Claxton, Simmons