The Washington Wizards battle against the Boston Celtics on Friday may not be the most ideal matchup for Brian Keefe's squad as they look to break their current nine-game losing streak. However, a certain Wizards player could have this game circled on their schedule for obvious reasons.
For anyone who may not know, Malcolm Brogdon spent one season in Boston where the veteran served as a key bench piece for the Celtics during their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The guard even won the Sixth Man of the Year Award averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 48.4% shooting from field goal range and 44.4% from beyond the arc.
Despite his impressive lone season with the Celtics, the Virgina product's relationship with the team soured following their attempt to trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason after thei Eastern Conference Finals run. As a result, Brogdon ended up being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers after the original trade to the Clippers fell apart.
After landing with the Trail Blazers, Brogdon only managed to suit up for 39 games in his time in Portland. As a result, the guard didn't get the opportunity to matchup against his former squad. This time around, Brogdon seems to be in line to suit up for Washington and take on the Celtics for the first time since his days with the Indiana Pacers.
Brogdon needs a bounce back game against Boston
Brogdon has suited up for two games this season with the Wizards after returning from the hand injury he suffered during the preseason. To say the 31-year-old has gotten off to a slow start may be an understatement. Brogdon has struggled immensly averaging four points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists through 20.5 minutes per game.
And while the guard still maintains a good relationship with his former teammates, there's no denying that you can almost guarantee that Brogdon will likely want to prove to the Celtics front office that they made a mistake when moving on from him.
Of course that's hard to prove when the C's are coming fresh off an NBA Championship, but a monster game against his former squad would still showcase what he has to offer.
Not only will a big game against Boston be good for Brogdon's confidence now, but it could help the veteran find a rhythm to give the Wizards more of a boost while he's in Washington.