This beginning of Free Agency is definitely crazy. While Kevin Durant launched hostilities yesterday and the first day of the market was lively, we now learn that Pacers leader Malcolm Brogdon has just been sent to the Celtics!
A rain of bombs is currently falling on the NBA planet. The latest? It obviously comes from yours truly Adrian Wojnarowski fromESPN, and it concerns a trade that we did not expect at all. Because even if we knew that Malcolm Brogdon could potentially move during the offseason given the reconstruction project recently started by the Pacers, we did not think he was going to leave Indiana to join … Boston. Because yes, it is the Celtics who have chosen to rush into the breach. And if you’re a fan of the C’s, know that your president of basketball ops Brad Stevens did not touch any important member of the workforce to conclude this transaction. The counterpart sent by the Greens? Center Daniel Theis, young sophomore fullback Aaron Nesmith, a 2023 Draft first round and a twix. We understand why Boston signed right away. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Pacers had their sights on the precious Grant Williams but the latter will ultimately go nowhere. Indiana will therefore ultimately have to settle for a first-round pick in next year’s Draft – what the franchise was looking for in any deal involving Brogdon -, a young 22-year-old shooter who has not managed to shoot this year (27% from 3-pointers), and an experienced veteran who probably does not fit into Indiana’s plans.
The trade
- Boston recovers: Malcolm Brogdon
- Indiana recovers: a first round of Draft 2023, Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis
For the Celtics, it still looks a lot like a strike this case. You get a super strong point guard like Malcolm Brogdon while keeping all of your pieces forming your entire rotation? It’s heavy and it clearly allows Boston to strengthen on the backcourt. Brogdon is a 29-year-old leader capable of turning in 20 points – 5 rebounds – 6 assists with a percentage greater than 37% by far in his career, in short, it’s serious business. Certainly we will have to see what it gives in terms of fit once on the floor – especially with current point guard Marcus Smart – and if Malcolm can avoid the infirmary (only 146 games in three seasons with the Pacers), but we can clearly talk about big shot especially since a certain Danilo Gallinari should also follow in no time. The Celtics remain on a magnificent course in the Playoffs and now only think of the title after their defeat against the Warriors in the NBA Finals. The arrival of Brogdon, solid on both sides of the field and clearly bringing additional solutions to Boston in terms of playmaking, really goes in this direction and thus consolidates the Celtics among the big favorites in the Eastern Conference next season.
We knew that a departure from Malcolm Brogdon was possible, but we did not see him in Boston. New proof that the NBA is a world as exciting as it is unpredictable, and today it is Celtics fans who are smiling again after the big disappointment of the Finals two weeks ago.
Source texte : ESPN, Bleacher Report
The Celtics are sending Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith and a 2023 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/etqmr9l0l7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022