Malcolm Brogdon retires after 9 seasons: How decision impacts Knicks
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Malcolm Brogdon retires after 9 seasons: How decision impacts Knicks
Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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3 min read
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Malcolm Brogdon, 32, is calling it a career after nine seasons in the NBA. The veteran guard had a rather successful career, winning Rookie of the Year in 2017 with theMilwaukee Bucksand Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 as a member of theBoston Celtics. Despite that success, though, Brogdon will retire sooner than anticipated.
After spending the 2024-25 season with Washington, Brogdon was on track to make theNew York Knicks' final roster. Instead, he decided to retire, a decision that he'dsupposedly been contemplatingfor a while. Brogdon informed Knicks officials on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
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"Today, I officially begin my transition out of my basketball career," Brogdon toldESPN. "I am deeply grateful to have arrived to this point on my own terms and now to be able to reap the benefits of my career with my family and friends. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all who have had a place in my journey."
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men's basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts while holding the Larry O'Brien trophy after defeating the Gold State Warriors to win the NBA Finals on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California.
Powered by an amazing effort from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, dethroning defending champion Golden State 93-89 to capture their first NBA title. The Cavaliers won the best-of-seven series 4-3 to claim the first league crown in their 46-season history and deliver the first major sports champion to Cleveland since the 1964 NFL Browns, ending the longest such title drought for any American city.
/ AFP / Beck Diefenbach (Photo credit should read BECK DIEFENBACH/AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP, AFP via Getty Images)
Forward LeBron James reacts against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 at the American Airines Arena in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated the Knicks 106-94 to advance to the next round four games to one.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Finals Championship trophy after they won 121-106 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 21, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)
LeBron James speaks to the media on an off day following Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on June 11, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
(Alex Trautwig, Getty Images)
LeBron James reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 118-104.
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LeBron James cries before the Men's Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China at the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
LeBron James is injured against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Streeter Lecka, Getty Images)
LeBron James argues a foul call with referee John Goble #10 during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
LeBron James reacts as the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
LeBron James looks on before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
LeBron James signals to teammates after making a three-point shot at the end of the 3rd quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 121-98.
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
LeBron James reacts during a 117-108 Lakers win over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
LeBron James shouts during a game against CSKA Moscow on October 12, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Miami heat won 96-85 over CSKA Moscow.
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
LeBron James reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
LeBron James sits during a training session in the leadup to the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibition match against the Orlando Magic in Shanghai in October 2007.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
LeBron James at Intuit Dome on Jan. 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
LeBron James in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
LeBron James falls to the court after a foul during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
LeBron James reacts during warm up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
1/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men's basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
1/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men's basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
2/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts while holding the Larry O'Brien trophy after defeating the Gold State Warriors to win the NBA Finals on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California.
Powered by an amazing effort from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, dethroning defending champion Golden State 93-89 to capture their first NBA title. The Cavaliers won the best-of-seven series 4-3 to claim the first league crown in their 46-season history and deliver the first major sports champion to Cleveland since the 1964 NFL Browns, ending the longest such title drought for any American city.
/ AFP / Beck Diefenbach (Photo credit should read BECK DIEFENBACH/AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP, AFP via Getty Images)
3/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Forward LeBron James reacts against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 at the American Airines Arena in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated the Knicks 106-94 to advance to the next round four games to one.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
4/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Finals Championship trophy after they won 121-106 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 21, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)
5/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James speaks to the media on an off day following Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on June 11, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
(Alex Trautwig, Getty Images)
6/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 118-104.
(Mitchell Leff, Getty Images)
7/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James cries before the Men's Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China at the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
8/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James is injured against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Streeter Lecka, Getty Images)
9/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James argues a foul call with referee John Goble #10 during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
10/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts as the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
11/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James looks on before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
12/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James signals to teammates after making a three-point shot at the end of the 3rd quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 121-98.
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
13/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts during a 117-108 Lakers win over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
14/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James shouts during a game against CSKA Moscow on October 12, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Miami heat won 96-85 over CSKA Moscow.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
15/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
16/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
17/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James sits during a training session in the leadup to the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibition match against the Orlando Magic in Shanghai in October 2007.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
18/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James at Intuit Dome on Jan. 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
19/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
20/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James falls to the court after a foul during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
21/21
The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts during warm up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Brogdon was drafted 36th overall in the 2016 draft by theMilwaukee Bucks. He would go on to win Rookie of the Year in 2016-17 and looked to be a promising addition to a budding Bucks team. However, after just three years with the team, he was traded toIndiana.
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Brogdon would play a feature role with thePacers, even averaging over 21 points with the Pacers during the 2020-21 season. He'd only stay with them for three years as well, though. From there, he'd join the Boston Celtics, where he was named Sixth Man of the Year following a terrific 2022-23 campaign. That award made Brogdon just the second player in league history to win both Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year (Mike Miller the other).
Brogdon averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game throughout his nine seasons in the league.
How does this affect the Knicks?
Although Brogdon certainly would've been a great presence in the Knicks' locker room, he likely wouldn't have had a massive role on the team. The Knicks made an effort to bolster their backcourt depth this offseason, signing bothJordan ClarksonandLandry Shamet— though Shamet was only given a training camp deal and was expecting to compete for a roster spot, just like Brogdon.
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While Brogdon could have certainly provided some scoring off the bench, the Knicks are in no need of such skills from a depth guard. After all, Jordan Clarkson leads the NBA in points off the bench since 2020.
Brogdon would have been a valuable depth piece on a Knicks' team that lacks in that department, but it is unclear how Brogdon would have exactly fit into the Knicks' rotation, if at all.
