Most NBA teams have an undesirable contract. That’s inevitable. Show us a perfectly managed team, and we’ll show you a genius that’s behind it. Even the best general managers in the NBA make mistakes.
For example, the New York Knicks must regret the contract they gave Evan Fournier. He’s making a substantial chunk of change, yet he’s not even a member of this team’s rotation. For Fournier’s part, he feels that he’s “being held, hostage”. Evidently, this is not a good use of resources for the Knicks.
Will the Portland Trail Blazers regret acquiring Malcolm Brogdon? That’s unlikely. Brogdon was acquired by moving Jrue Holiday, Robert Williams III, and some draft capital. With that said, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Blazers looked to move Brogdon sooner rather than later. Could they send him to the Knicks?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, G/F DaQuan Jeffries, 2024 Second-Round Pick (DET via NYK), 2025 Second-Round Pick (BKN via NYK), 2027 Second-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
No team intentionally awards a player a bad contract. That would be malpractice. When a team gives a player a contract, they assume that they’ll earn it. It doesn’t always go that way.
Take Fournier. When he earned this deal, it was widely regarded as a slight overpay. It wasn’t egregious. Fournier was mostly worth the money he was receiving. Unfortunately, he declined to some extent. Suddenly, a slight overpay became a drastic one. Is that what happened between Brogdon and the Celtics?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & New York Knicks Updates
Not at all. Brogdon was worth every penny he earned just last season. Unfortunately, there are concerns about his durability. Brogdon’s contract might be a net negative on the market for that reason exclusively. Should the Knicks really absorb it?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Sure. Brogdon’s deal doesn’t run much longer. It’s got a large annual value, but it shouldn’t be debilitating. If the Knicks acquire Brogdon, he gets hurt, and he never plays a second for New York, that won’t ruin this organization. The Knicks will be OK.
If Brogdon can stay healthy, they’ll be a lot better. He’s a nice fit alongside Jalen Brunson in the backcourt. Brogdon is a solid defender. He’s also a knockdown shooter who can take over playmaking responsibilities when Brunson needs a rest. The basketball fit here is optimal.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & New York Knicks Updates
What are the Knicks losing? Well, Fournier’s deal is expiring. For a win-now team, it’s worth upgrading the roster to take on an extra year of salary. Meanwhile, a trio of second-round picks may not mean much to a team that isn’t focused on developing young players anyway. Should the Blazers take second-rounders for Brogdon?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Blazers should trade Brogdon. That’s almost beyond debate. This team shouldn’t be giving Brogdon ball-handling reps with Scoot Henderson on the roster. The Blazers need to be thinking about the future.
With that said, they should get the best return that they can for Brogdon. This might not be it. If Brogdon is healthy leading into the deadline, he could yield a first-round pick. This is a very good player. In other words, Portland should only take this offer if it’s the best offer on the table.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & New York Knicks Updates
If it isn’t? That’s not so bad. The Blazers should be happy to take on Fournier’s expiring contract. That will free up some cap space for them heading into next summer. Finally, second-round picks are more valuable to a rebuilding team like the Blazers. If nothing else, they’re a way for the team to find affordable talent.
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