NBA Trades: 5 trade suitors for Malcolm Brogdon and the Indiana Pacers: Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards should be looking for an experienced point guard this offseason to pair with star Bradley Beal and recently-acquired big man Kristaps Porzingis. As the organization seeks a return to the playoffs, Malcolm Brogdon could be the answer.
Washington is still under pressure to build a contending team around Beal and this upcoming season could be their last attempt at convincing their stellar guard to stay long-term. Although, Beal will face a $36.4 million player option this summer, and if he decides to decline it and leave the franchise in free agency, Washington will likely trend toward the rebuilding stage.
At the moment, the only point guard on the roster is 33-year-old Ish Smith. The Wizards thought that Spencer Dinwiddie would complete the floor general role last summer, but after an uncomfortable fit, Dinwiddie was traded before the deadline as part of the Porzingis trade with the Dallas Mavericks.
Acquiring Brogdon from Indiana would be a realistic scenario given the Wizards’ current values, salary matching flexibility, and assets. Washington can entice the Pacers with young prospects or draft picks and could use the expiring contracts of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith to match salaries.
Brogdon would make sense for a team that’s desperate to win now and clearly needs to fill the void at the point guard position. If Bradley Beal decides to extend his stint with the Washington Wizards, Malcolm Brogdon would be an attainable trade target to accelerate the organization’s win-now approach.