Malcolm Brogdon Trade: Complete Timeline, Details and Retirement Update

Steve Smith
20 Min Read
malcolm brogdon trade
malcolm brogdon trade

There is no current Malcolm Brogdon trade. His last completed trade sent him from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Washington Wizards on July 6, 2024, as part of the Deni Avdija deal. Washington also received the draft rights to Bub Carrington and three future picks.

Brogdon later finished the 2024-25 season with Washington and entered free agency. Although he joined the New York Knicks for training camp, he retired on October 15, 2025. Therefore, current articles describing him as a trade candidate are outdated unless he announces an NBA comeback.

Malcolm Brogdon Trade Quick Answer

QuestionAnswer
What was the latest Malcolm Brogdon trade?Portland traded him to Washington in July 2024
Who did Portland receive?Deni Avdija
What did Washington receive?Brogdon, Bub Carrington’s draft rights and three future picks
Did Washington trade Brogdon again?No
What happened after his Wizards contract?He entered free agency
Did Brogdon join the Knicks?Yes, for 2025 training camp
Is Brogdon still playing?No, he retired in October 2025
Did the Clippers trade for him in 2023?No, the proposed deal collapsed
Why did Boston trade him?The Celtics used him in the package for Jrue Holiday
How many completed NBA trades involved Brogdon?Four, including the 2019 sign-and-trade

Malcolm Brogdon’s Current Status

Malcolm Brogdon is a retired NBA player. He is not under contract and cannot be traded unless he first returns to the league and signs with a team.

The NBA announced Brogdon’s retirement after he informed the New York Knicks of his decision on October 15, 2025. He retired before appearing in a regular-season game for New York.

During nine seasons, Brogdon played for Milwaukee, Indiana, Boston, Portland and Washington. His official NBA player profile records a career that included Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year honors.

Direct answer: Brogdon’s final trade took him from Portland to Washington in 2024. He retired in October 2025, so there is no active trade situation as of July 15, 2026.

Complete Malcolm Brogdon Trade Timeline

DateBrogdon’s moveMain return for the other team
July 6, 2019Milwaukee Bucks to Indiana PacersOne first-round pick and two second-round picks
July 9, 2022Indiana Pacers to Boston CelticsFive players and a 2023 first-round pick
June 21, 2023Proposed Boston to LA Clippers moveDeal collapsed and never became official
October 1, 2023Boston Celtics to Portland Trail BlazersBoston received Jrue Holiday
July 6, 2024Portland Trail Blazers to Washington WizardsPortland received Deni Avdija
September 2025Washington to New YorkFree-agent signing, not a trade
October 15, 2025New York training campBrogdon retired before the season

This timeline separates official trades from rumors and free-agent moves. In particular, the proposed Clippers transaction should not appear in a list of completed trades.

What Was the Latest Malcolm Brogdon Trade?

The latest completed Malcolm Brogdon trade was the 2024 deal between Portland and Washington.

The trade was agreed to during the 2024 NBA Draft and officially completed on July 6. Portland acquired Deni Avdija, while Washington acquired Brogdon and a substantial collection of draft assets.

Full 2024 Trade Package

Washington Wizards receivedPortland Trail Blazers received
Malcolm BrogdonDeni Avdija
Draft rights to Carlton “Bub” Carrington
2029 first-round pick
2028 second-round pick
2030 second-round pick

The Wizards’ official trade announcement describes the 2029 selection as the second-most favorable first-round pick from Portland. It also confirms that Washington received the draft rights to Carrington, whom Portland selected at No. 14 on the Wizards’ behalf.

Therefore, describing the deal as a simple Brogdon-for-Avdija swap leaves out most of Washington’s return.

Why Did Portland Trade Malcolm Brogdon?

Portland traded Brogdon because Avdija fit its longer rebuilding timeline.

Brogdon was 31 and entering the final year of his contract. Meanwhile, Avdija was a younger two-way forward signed beyond the 2024-25 season.

The Trail Blazers also had several young guards, including Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. Consequently, Brogdon’s veteran minutes were less important than adding size and long-term versatility.

Portland paid a significant draft price. However, the organization viewed Avdija as more than a temporary veteran addition. The Trail Blazers’ introduction of Deni Avdija emphasized his competitiveness, playmaking and defensive potential.

Why Did Washington Trade Deni Avdija?

Washington prioritized draft capital and roster flexibility during a long-term rebuild.

Avdija was a productive young player on a favorable contract. Therefore, Portland had to send a veteran, a lottery pick and future selections to complete the deal.

Brogdon’s $22.5 million expiring salary helped match Avdija’s contract while giving Washington an experienced guard. Meanwhile, Carrington and the future picks expanded the Wizards’ pool of young assets.

The move did not require Washington to view Brogdon as a permanent starter. Instead, he could mentor younger players, contribute when healthy and reach free agency after one season.

How Did Brogdon Play for Portland?

Brogdon remained productive during his only season with the Trail Blazers.

He appeared in 39 games during 2023-24 and started 25. In addition, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 41.2 percent from three-point range.

Those numbers showed that he could still organize an offense and provide efficient perimeter shooting. However, injuries limited him during the second half of the season.

Portland kept him through the February 2024 trade deadline. Later, the team used his expiring contract and draft assets to acquire Avdija during the offseason.

How Did Brogdon Play for Washington?

Brogdon appeared in 24 games for Washington during the 2024-25 season.

In those games, he averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds. Still, injuries restricted his availability and prevented him from establishing a consistent season-long role.

Washington did not trade Brogdon at the February 2025 deadline. Instead, he completed the final season of his contract and became an unrestricted free agent.

Consequently, there was no additional Wizards trade package. Reports that describe him as leaving Washington through a trade confuse free agency with a player transaction.

What Was the 2022 Pacers-Celtics Malcolm Brogdon Trade?

The Boston Celtics acquired Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers on July 9, 2022.

Full 2022 Trade Package

Boston Celtics receivedIndiana Pacers received
Malcolm BrogdonAaron Nesmith
Daniel Theis
Nik Stauskas
Malik Fitts
Juwan Morgan
2023 first-round draft pick

The Celtics’ official acquisition release confirms all five players and the first-round selection sent to Indiana.

Boston completed the deal without giving up Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Robert Williams III, Grant Williams or Derrick White. Therefore, the Celtics added a proven guard without disrupting their main rotation.

Why Did Boston Trade for Malcolm Brogdon?

Boston needed another reliable ball handler after losing the 2022 NBA Finals to Golden State.

Brogdon could run the second unit, attack mismatches and play beside the team’s starting guards. Moreover, his shooting allowed him to contribute without controlling every possession.

The Celtics also wanted to reduce the playmaking burden on Tatum and Brown. Brogdon addressed that weakness while accepting a bench role after spending much of his career as a starter.

As a result, Boston entered the 2022-23 season with one of the league’s deepest guard rotations.

Did the Celtics Trade Work?

Yes, the trade produced an excellent short-term result for Boston.

Brogdon averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 67 games. Furthermore, he shot 44.4 percent from three-point range while playing primarily off the bench.

The NBA named Malcolm Brogdon the 2022-23 Sixth Man of the Year. He helped Boston reach the Eastern Conference finals before an elbow and forearm injury affected his postseason.

Indiana also received meaningful value. Aaron Nesmith developed into a regular rotation player, while the first-round pick added another asset to the Pacers’ rebuild.

Therefore, both teams achieved important goals even though Boston received the more immediate reward.

Why Did Indiana Trade Malcolm Brogdon?

Indiana shifted toward a younger backcourt after acquiring Tyrese Haliburton in February 2022.

Both Haliburton and Brogdon were most effective with the ball. Consequently, the Pacers chose to build around the younger guard and convert Brogdon into players and draft capital.

Injuries also limited Brogdon to 36 games during the 2021-22 season. Although he remained productive, Indiana had started a broader roster reset.

The trade created a larger opportunity for Haliburton. Meanwhile, Nesmith fit the team’s age range and eventually earned a larger role.

Was Malcolm Brogdon Almost Traded to the Clippers?

Yes, but the proposed transaction never became official.

In June 2023, Boston, Washington and the LA Clippers discussed a three-team deal. The initial structure would have sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston and Brogdon to Los Angeles.

However, the framework collapsed before the deadline. Reports said the Clippers did not have enough time to complete their medical review and had concerns related to Brogdon’s health.

Boston then completed a different three-team transaction. The official Porzingis trade sent Marcus Smart to Memphis, while Brogdon stayed with the Celtics.

Therefore, Brogdon was never a Clippers player. Trade databases should not list the proposal as a completed move.

Why Did Boston Trade Brogdon to Portland?

Boston traded Brogdon in October 2023 to acquire Jrue Holiday.

Milwaukee had sent Holiday to Portland in the Damian Lillard trade only days earlier. Since Portland was rebuilding, it quickly opened discussions with contenders that valued Holiday’s defense and playoff experience.

Full 2023 Trade Package

Boston Celtics receivedPortland Trail Blazers received
Jrue HolidayMalcolm Brogdon
Robert Williams III
2024 first-round pick
2029 first-round pick

The Celtics’ official Jrue Holiday trade release confirms that Boston sent Brogdon, Williams and two first-round picks.

Likewise, Portland’s official acquisition of Brogdon and Williams confirms the incoming package.

Did the Jrue Holiday Trade Help Boston Win a Championship?

Yes. Holiday became a starting guard and a major part of Boston’s 2024 championship team.

His perimeter defense, playmaking and ability to score without dominating the ball fit alongside Tatum, Brown, White and Porzingis. Consequently, Boston’s decision to trade Brogdon and Williams produced its intended result.

However, Brogdon did not win a championship ring as a member of that Celtics roster because Boston traded him before the 2023-24 season.

The distinction matters. Brogdon helped create the trade value used to acquire Holiday, but he was not part of the championship team itself.

What Was Brogdon’s First NBA Trade?

Brogdon’s first NBA move was a sign-and-trade from Milwaukee to Indiana in July 2019.

The Bucks’ official sign-and-trade release states that Milwaukee received one future first-round pick and two future second-round selections.

Meanwhile, Indiana signed Brogdon to a four-year contract widely reported at $85 million. The arrangement allowed the Pacers to secure their preferred guard while giving Milwaukee compensation.

Brogdon had spent his first three seasons with the Bucks. During that period, he won Rookie of the Year and later joined the 50-40-90 shooting club.

How Did Brogdon’s Contract Affect His Trade Value?

Contract structure influenced every later Malcolm Brogdon trade.

In 2021, Indiana gave him an additional two-year extension reported at $45 million. The Pacers’ official contract-extension announcement did not disclose terms, but public reporting placed his later annual salary at $22.5 million.

For Boston, that salary was manageable for a high-level sixth man. Moreover, it helped the Celtics match Holiday’s larger salary when they made the 2023 Portland trade.

For Washington, Brogdon’s expiring 2024-25 contract offered short-term flexibility. Therefore, his deal functioned as both player value and salary-matching structure.

Which Team Won the Malcolm Brogdon Trades?

Each transaction requires a different answer.

TradeRetrospective assessment
Milwaukee-Indiana, 2019Indiana gained a starting guard; Milwaukee recovered three picks
Indiana-Boston, 2022Boston gained an award-winning reserve; Indiana added youth and a pick
Boston-Portland, 2023Boston acquired a championship starter; Portland gained players and two firsts
Portland-Washington, 2024Portland gained a young forward; Washington added Carrington and future picks

Boston received the clearest completed result because Holiday helped the Celtics win the 2024 title. Nevertheless, Portland turned Holiday into a broader asset package, which later helped it acquire Avdija.

The Washington-Portland trade remains harder to judge permanently. Carrington and the future selections require more time, while Avdija provided Portland with immediate on-court value.

Did Brogdon Sign With the Knicks?

Yes, but he did not join New York through a trade.

Brogdon agreed to a training-camp contract with the Knicks in September 2025. He then appeared during the preseason while competing for a regular-season roster place.

However, he announced his retirement on October 15. As a result, he did not play an official regular-season game for the Knicks.

This sequence should appear as free agency followed by retirement, not as a Washington-New York trade.

Why Did Malcolm Brogdon Retire?

Brogdon said he was ready to begin his transition away from professional basketball and leave the game on his own terms.

He did not frame the decision as the result of a trade. Instead, his statement emphasized gratitude, family and the rewards of his career.

Brogdon retired at age 32 after nine NBA seasons. Ultimately, he finished with career averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds across 463 games.

Could Malcolm Brogdon Return to the NBA?

A retired player can attempt a comeback. However, Brogdon has not publicly announced plans to return as of July 15, 2026.

If he did return, he would first need to sign with a team as a free agent. Only after signing a new contract could that team trade him under NBA rules and applicable timing restrictions.

Therefore, hypothetical trade destinations have no current transaction basis.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Malcolm Brogdon Trade

1. What was Malcolm Brogdon’s latest trade?

Portland traded Brogdon to Washington in July 2024 as part of the Deni Avdija deal. In addition, Washington received Bub Carrington’s draft rights and three future picks.

2. Is Malcolm Brogdon currently being traded?

No. Brogdon retired in October 2025. Therefore, he is not currently under contract or available for a trade.

3. What did Washington give up for Malcolm Brogdon?

Washington sent Deni Avdija to Portland. Meanwhile, the Wizards received Brogdon, Carrington and multiple draft selections.

4. What did the Celtics give up for Brogdon?

Boston sent Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan and a 2023 first-round pick to Indiana.

5. Why did the Pacers trade Malcolm Brogdon?

Indiana wanted to build its backcourt around Tyrese Haliburton. Consequently, the Pacers converted Brogdon into younger players and a draft pick.

6. Did Malcolm Brogdon win Sixth Man of the Year in Boston?

Yes. He won the 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award after averaging 14.9 points for the Celtics.

7. Was Malcolm Brogdon traded to the Clippers?

No. A proposed three-team deal collapsed in June 2023. Therefore, Brogdon never officially joined the Clippers.

8. Why did Boston trade Brogdon to Portland?

Boston included Brogdon in the package for Jrue Holiday. Later, Holiday helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA championship.

9. Did Washington trade Brogdon to the Knicks?

No. His Wizards contract expired, and he joined New York through free agency. However, he retired before the regular season.

10. Could Malcolm Brogdon be traded after retirement?

Not while he remains retired and unsigned. First, he would need to return and sign an NBA contract before any later trade could occur.

Conclusion

The final Malcolm Brogdon trade sent him from Portland to Washington in July 2024. The Wizards received Brogdon, Bub Carrington and three future picks, while the Trail Blazers acquired Deni Avdija.

However, that move represents only one part of his transaction history. Brogdon previously reached Indiana through a 2019 sign-and-trade, joined Boston in 2022 and moved to Portland in the 2023 Jrue Holiday deal. In addition, a proposed Clippers trade collapsed before becoming official.

Brogdon entered free agency after his Washington contract and later attended Knicks training camp. Ultimately, he retired on October 15, 2025. Therefore, there is no current Malcolm Brogdon trade unless he returns to professional basketball.