When the Washington Wizards landed Malcolm Brogdon in the offseason, not many people expected general manager Will Dawkins to hold on to the veteran for the upcoming season.
However, following the deal, both Brogdon and the Wizards brass both seemed opened to the idea of him staying put in Washington for this season. And while it didn't seem to make sense at first considering the state of the franchise and the beginning of a rebuild, the more time went on, the partnership seemed to make sense.
For starters, Brogdon played college basketball at Virginia which isn't too far away from D.C. The guard even admitted that suiting up for Washington was always a dream of his, and having his family be able to attend games locally is something that made his fit with the team worth sticking around for.
Meanwhile, with the Wizards entering a rebuild, Washington could not only allow the experienced player to lead the young team, but also showcase what he has to offer and build up his trade value along the way. Fast forward to now, it's starting to seem as if Brogdon has done exactly that.
Contending teams focusing on Brogdon
Following his 25 point night against the Hornets on Thursday, the 32-year-old is averaging 14.9 points, four rebounds and 2.9 assists, while shooting 51% from field goal range and 38.5% from beyond the arc. Proving he can still contribute at a high level, he's exactly what a contending team would need to elevate their squad to the next level to make a deep postseason run.
Aside from his injury woes over the last couple seasons, Brogdon has showcased his consistency and steadiness; an exact trait a championship contending team would be seeking. Two years removed from winning the Sixth Man of the Year award for the Boston Celtics, it's clear that Brogdon can buy into any role he's presented with.
As he continues to play well, monitoring teams are going to become more aggressive in their pursuit, especially if they feel that he could be the missing piece to get them over the hump.
While no deal seems imminent, it only makes sense for Washington to offload the veterans contract before the February trade deadline, especially if they get an offer they can't refuse. That said, this may be something to monitor moving forward, especially with how well Brogdon has been playing.
The Wizards are reported to be heading towards a fire sale at the deadline and Brogdon could indeed be playing his way OUT of Washington.