Having acquired Tyrese Haliburton from the Sacramento Kings, the Indiana Pacers might be willing to deal Malcolm Brogdon this summer, according to
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
Scotto reported the belief outside Indiana is that the Pacers will move Malcolm Brogdon after having positioned Haliburton as the future of their backcourt.
In October, Brogdon signed a two-year, $45 million extension that will go into effect with the 2023-24 season. Because that new contract precludes Indiana from trading him for six months, he won't be going anywhere before Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
The Pacers presumably thought that Brogdon would be a long-term piece of their rotation when they handed him that extension. The 29-year-old has performed well in his three seasons with Indiana, averaging 18.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
The 2016-17 Rookie of the Year said on The JJ Redick Podcast in June 2020 (h/t
Ethan Sears of the Indianapolis Star) he enjoyed playing with the Pacers because he was operating at the point.
"It allows me to play in my role, in my position and lead," he said. "I think the point guard has to be if not the leader, has to be one of the biggest leaders on your team. He has to be vocal. He has to demand respect.
"And that’s what I feel like I bring to the game."
Brogdon was frequently used as a 2-guard with the Milwaukee Bucks, so it's a position with which he's familiar. Whether he'd be happy to play off the ball while
Haliburton Trae runs the offense is another question.
