Apr 23, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) dribbles abasing Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) during the second half during game four of the 2023 NBA playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly pulled out of the three-team Kristaps Porzingis trade for one important reason regarding their return, Malcolm Brogdon.
At the 11th hour, the Los Angeles Clippers-involved three-team trade that would’ve landed them Malcolm Brogdon from the Boston Celtics as the C’s got Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards is no more. But why?
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Clippers backed out of the deal due to concerns about Brogdon’s medical status.
Concerns raised by the Clippers about Malcolm Brogdon’s injury status, league sources say, led to the collapse of the three-team trade expected to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston before midnight tonight.
A direct Wizards/Celtics deal has not been ruled out.
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— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2023
LA was set to acquire Brogdon while giving up Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, and a first-round pick to the Wizards in the trade. The Celtics were set to acquire Porzingis in the deal, which could still happen, just without the Clippers’ involvement now.
Brogdon has a rough injury history in his career and, if LA saw something that concerned them, it makes sense why they would want to back out of the deal. Given the own injury issues with the Clippers two biggest stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, another injury-prone player with concerning medicals would be troubling.
What is next for the Clippers after Malcolm Brogdon trade falls through?
The Clippers are a team that will make a move with their expiring contracts at some point in this offseason. Obviously, the most likely player to be traded is Morris. He has an expiring deal for this season, a big reason why he was included in the initial three-team deal.
LA wanted Brogdon in the trade, though, because the team still needs a secondary ball-handler and facilitator in the offense. They will continue to search for another potential option to address the team’s biggest weakness while George and Leonard are still around.
The two Clippers superstars have a player option after the 2023-24 season. Since their arrivals, LA has not been able to find a Brogdon-type player to help round out the roster, but the search will continue this offseason, this time with likely much more urgency.
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