Malcolm Brogdon dilemma the Wizards will face before the trade deadline

The Washington Wizards acquired Malcolm Brogdon in the Deni Avdija trade. They focused on the two first-round draft picks, but Brogdon can be a veteran leader for this young squad. He won Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 and is on an expiring contract. Washington will try to move on before the deadline.

The Wizards are focused on developing talent. Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Bilal Coulibaly will all play key roles this season, and the franchise hopes they are crucial parts of their next contender. It will take time, but Washington is in no rush.

Having Brogdon as a leader early in the season and trading him at the deadline for more draft capital is the ideal scenario. It could quickly become an issue and his contract further complicates things. Brogdon may be stuck on the Wizards roster for the entire season.

NBA’s new rules make trading Malcolm Brogdon a challenge

The league’s new collective bargain agreement made life difficult for teams over the cap. New restrictions limit what teams can do in trades and how they build their roster. Those restrictions shrink the number of franchises capable of acquiring Brogdon, especially at his $22.5 million salary.

Nine teams are currently over the first tax apron, which prevents them from taking back more money than they send out in a trade. Four of those teams are over the second apron and cannot aggregate contracts.

12 other teams are hard-capped at the first apron, including the Mavericks and Warriors. Those two squads are just below and will find it difficult to maneuver before the deadline.

The Wizards will explore their options, but finding a trade could be difficult. Brogdon’s salary limits his market in a buyout too.

Malcolm Brogdon may not want a buyout

Teams over the first apron cannot sign a player via buyout making more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Brogdon significantly exceeds that figure and his market would be limited to 21 teams. Among those, the Clippers, Kings, Grizzlies, Pacers, Thunder, Magic, and Cavaliers figure to be contenders.

It is a limited market that features just one true title contender. If Oklahoma City decides against signing Brogdon to their young roster loaded with talent, changing teams may not be appealing, especially when it means giving back salary.

Malcolm Brogdon must prove healthy and impactful to join a contender

Brogdon has played less than 40 games in two of the last three years. It is a crucial season for the 31-year-old to prove he can play 60-plus games and help his team win. Brogdon figures to get plenty of opportunities in Washington with the young talent developing around him. Staying on the floor and standing out could be the difference in finding a trade or not.

The Washington Wizards may not find a partner before the trade deadline, and Malcolm Brogdon could decide against a buyout. They will keep the talented guard on their roster, but trading him for draft capital is ideal. Can they find the right move? Only time will tell.