The NBA trade deadline is less than 72 hours away, and a number of teams, including the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets, have expressed interest in Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon.
According to NBA expert Marc Stein, Brogdon, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, has been campaigning to stay with the Blazers.
“Malcolm Brogdon has actively lobbied the Trail Blazers to extend his contract beyond Thursday’s trade deadline.
Brogdon, who was named one of this season’s Most Likely To Be Traded players after arriving in Portland before the season began after Boston acquired Jrue Holiday from the Blazers, recently told The Athletic’s Jason Quick that he was opposed to a trade.
Brogdon told Quick, “I’m happy here.” “I feel valued here. And that is something I cannot complain about. “I’m content in Portland.”
There have been some recent rumors that Brogdon, who has one season left on his current contract at $22.5 million, is hoping that the Blazers will consider contract extension talks. Portland’s willingness to go that far is difficult to envision given the team’s understandable focus on its young guards, most notably Anfernee Simons and rookie Scoot Henderson, but the prospect of a longer stay in the Pacific Northwest for the 31-year-old has gained credibility.”
There is a case to be made that having Brogdon on the Blazers for the remainder of the season would benefit Henderson. With the third overall pick, Brogdon has done well as a mentor. However, considering Brogdon’s relative health this season, the fact that he has another year left on his deal, and the plethora of young guards deserving minutes, Portland will have to take a close look at any incoming offers containing a first-round choice.
