NEWSLETTER
The Boston Celtics keep getting better, folks.
Only a handful of hours after snatching Danillo Gallinari from the Chicago Bulls, the organization has now added veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon.
Indiana was clearly opting for a salary dump here, as the organization absorbs a handful of Boston’s non-rotation players. I guess Former 2020 Aaron Nesmith could still be considered a decent young asset, but the main perk for the rebuilding Paces in this deal is the 2023 first-round pick.
For the Celtics, they add a 29-year-old Brogdon who will supply more efficient scoring and defensive tenacity at the point guard position. As strong as the team’s trip to the Finals appear, their 14.7 turnovers per game (6th-most in the postseason) showed how much they could benefit from a more steady-handed point guard. Brogdon – who has averaged at least 6.0 assists the last three seasons – should fill a nice hole in the backcourt.
The big question for Brogdon is whether or not his health can finally turn a corner. A sure-fire starter when healthy, Brogdon has failed to play more than 56 games in the past three seasons, and he only appeared in 36 contests last year (although, the Pacers were in tank mode). Still owed a combined $67.6 million over the next three seasons, the Celtics are banking on Brogdon finding a way to make it through a couple of long playoff runs.
Anyway, this is just another big move that should be some pressure on the rest of the Eastern Conference, especially the Bulls. Teams continue to stay aggressive in building out their playoff-caliber rosters, and Chicago simply has to find more to bolster their roster than Andre Drummond.
Speaking of which … are the Pacers still open for business? Myles Turner anyone?
