Malcolm Brogdon tabbed as candidate for Wizards buyout if not traded

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon admitted at Media Day in September that his time in DC might not last long, and that prediction holds true based on the latest data from ClutchPoint. The The Wizards will probably buy out veteran contract if they don’t trade him before the Feb. 6 deadline, via NBA insider Brett Siegel.

“In terms of the NBA buyout market, there will be very few options available. “(Bruce) Brown could be a prime buyout candidate if he isn’t traded, and the same can be said for Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon,” Siegel said. “The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year won’t be in Washington long, as the two sides are expected to part ways either through a trade or buyout, sources said.”

Buyouts are when the team and player agree to terminate the contract early in exchange for the player giving up some salary. If you do that with Brogdon (foot), Washington would give more cap space and more playing time for the other running backs. The 32-year-old is averaging 24.8 minutes in 18 games so far.

“Brogdon could have a strong market for teams looking for point guard help if the Wizards let him go,” Siegel continued. “Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Clippers and Hawks would be attractive destinations for him.”

Wizards sign Malcolm Brogdon as interim ‘culture builder’

In July, the Portland Trail Blazers traded Brogdon along with Bubba Carrington, a 2029 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2030 pick to the Wizards for Danny Avdia. The deal worked out for both sides, as Avdia is Portland’s fourth-leading scorer at 14.1 points per game on 46.2% shooting in 28.4 minutes, while Carrington leads all rookies in minutes, assists and steals. The Pitt alum is also second in three-point field goals made and third in player efficiency.

Although Brogdon never was long lasting fit about rebuilding the Wizards, they brought him in to help “build the culture,” as he explained at Media Day.

“There were good signs here that they are trying to build the culture the right way.” That’s the first thing they said to me, ‘We want to build the culture the right way here, you’re a culture guy, we brought you here to help us do that,”’ the former Milwaukee Buck said. “In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I want to see you guys do your part,’ and they’re doing their part,” Brogdon said. “And it might not be a 50-win, 60-win season now, you know.”

Having seasoned veterans like Brogdon mentor the young players is good for Washington’s rebuild, even if it’s only for a few months. Carrington, Kyshawn George and Bilal Koulibaly are the men who learned from the former Rookie of the Year.

At the same time, Brogdon has a Salary $22.5 million on his contract that expires this season, through Spotrak. That’s why, with the former Boston Celtic’s injury issues, it’s hard to move him at the deadline. If they can’t trade him for assets, it makes sense for the Wizards to save money and roster space by buying him out now.

At this stage of their rebuild, keeping older veterans around for the duration of their contracts is not the best business move, as they would likely be free. That’s why Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valanciunas have been mentioned in the rumor mill. However, the latter two have two more seasons left on their contracts, so Brogdon’s situation is more urgent.