5 Teams that should be looking to acquire Malcolm Brogdon ASAP

The Washington Wizards acquired Malcolm Brogdon in a draft night trade that landed the former Sixth Man of the Year back in the Eastern Conference.

Washington is in a difficult point of a rebuild where the roster seems stuck between a full reset and the hopes of competing in a loaded conference. Nonetheless, with the team’s expectations set closer to a lottery pick in 2025 than the NBA Playoffs, they could look to continue stacking draft assets and young talent.

These five teams could do both sides a favor if they can pull off a deal to land the veteran guard.

5. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks enter this season looking to get back into contention after back-to-back first-round postseason losses. Milwaukee lost Patrick Beverley over the offseason and resorted to signing Delon Wright as their backup guard to Damian Lillard.

Although Wright is a solid depth option, he’s not likely who Doc Rivers envisions as a key contributor off the bench for a championship roster. In addition, besides Wright, the team would have to rely on an inexperienced AJ Green and an out-of-position Khris Middleton. 

As for Brogdon, the versatile vet was drafted by the Bucks in the 2016 and won the Rookie of the Year award with the team. A familiar face makes sense for a Bucks team hoping to make a deep postseason run and a reunion could be beneficial for both sides.

4. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks fell four games shy of a championship season last year after a 4-1 series loss to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. 

A large reason for the team’s collapse against the Celtics came down to depth and the Mavericks' lack of ability to match Boston’s deep bench, especially in the backcourt. 

Behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas didn’t have any experienced options for Jason Kidd to rely on. Especially not any options that could play on both sides of the floor. Fortunately for the Mavs, a move for Brogdon would fix that issue.

Brogdon offers playoff experience, playmaking, and the ability to be a primary ball handler to relieve Doncic and Irving in spurts. This move could put them atop the West and back in the NBA Finals.

3. Orlando Magic

The Magic have long sought a reliable playmaker out of the backcourt. And it’s fair to say the team hasn’t had one since the Jameer Nelson days. Orlando hoped Markelle Fultz could develop into the guard many thought he could be throughout the draft process.

After their reclamation project in Fultz came up short, the team spent back-to-back seasons drafting a guard with three of their last five first-round picks. While Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black have the potential to develop into reliable ball handlers, they’re not close to being that for a playoff contender, and that’s exactly what the Magic hope to be.

Orlando lost in Game 7 of their first-round playoff matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, but Jamahl Mosley’s young team seems to be on the rise in the East. After missing out on the big fish in free agency, the Magic opted to bring back most of their guys aside from the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

If the Magic can land Brogdon from the Wizards, it would be an immediate boost to the team’s chances to contend this year, and for Washington, a deal would make sense despite being division rivals. Orlando could offer future draft assets and potentially young players to sweeten the deal. A win-win for both sides.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one team that is continuously rumored to be in the trade market. General manager Rob Pelinka is always looking to improve his roster, and with JJ Redick running the show now, the young basketball mind could be the saving grace for a struggling Lakers franchise.

Despite the team's talented roster, the Lakers have struggled over the last couple of seasons, arguably due to their lack of backcourt depth. Meanwhile, LA has been rumored to be interested in Brogdon dating back to his days in Boston. 

If Pelinka and company decide they must make a roster change ahead of or during the season, Brogdon could be the perfect trade target for the Lakers. As for the Wizards, they could trade the guard out of the conference while putting themselves in a position to acquire draft capital and a salary filler who likely would bring more trade value with them.

1. LA Clippers

The Clippers nearly acquired Brogdon in a three-team trade during the 2023 offseason. Things fell apart after the Celtics pulled out in an attempt to beat the deadline to get a deal done for Kristaps Porzingis.

Los Angeles lost Paul George in the offseason, who was one of the team's ball handlers. The Clippers signed Kris Dunn in hopes of filling the void in the backcourt behind James Harden and Terance Mann, but the Clips' depth could be an area of concern as the season continues.

It may make sense for the Clippers to revisit a move that could finally end with Brogdon in an LA jersey.