Former Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon has been among the free agents looking for a new team to play for this offseason. While he has garnered considerable interest in the market, an NBA insider expects him to ultimately sign with the Golden State Warriors.
This could be an intriguing move for the Warriors, who have been very quiet this offseason. Given that the franchise’s dealings have been hampered by their ongoing contract negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State has struggled to complete any signings.
This is a matter of concern, as the current state of negotiations appears to be at a standstill, with no updates on the matter. Fortunately, the team supposedly has verbal agreements in place with three potential targets, giving their offseason approach some semblance of structure.
Given the Warriors’ roster makeup, the team needs reinforcement and restructuring in several key positions. Among these, addressing the need for a center and a backup playmaker has been a priority.
The Dubs currently possess a starting backcourt pairing of Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski. Both of these players are reliable in their own right, with Curry being among the best guards in the league. But the Warriors need a playmaker off the bench to anchor the second unit. In this regard, Brogdon could be a solid addition to the roster.
The 32-year-old veteran has established himself as a capable two-way guard. While being a solid on-ball defender, he has also proven himself to be effective as a primary ball-handler and floor general.
Last season, Brogdon notched an average of 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, while shooting 43.3% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Although his perimeter shooting is below the average requirements for the modern game, the former ROTY finds other ways to contribute.
What makes Brogdon a significant addition is his experience and value as a bench player. Having won the 6MOY award only a few years ago, it is evident that the veteran is familiar with his role and is capable of performing in a limited capacity. When considering the Warriors’ lack of depth in the point guard position, Brogdon’s addition could be viewed as a notable upgrade.
The only concern with signing the 32-year-old is his constant struggle with injuries. Over the last two seasons, Brogdon has only appeared in a total of 73 games. This is rather disruptive as it prevents the guard from settling into a rhythm and it becomes a challenge for the team to develop chemistry with him as a part of the main rotation.
Most recently, he came off an ankle injury sustained during a game against the Indiana Pacers last season. While there may be a silver lining when considering that the injury was caused due to a collision with a player, the Warriors will need to carefully consider the prospects of him remaining healthy for a large portion of the season.
Apart from Brogdon, the Warriors are expected to bolster their guard rotation by signing De’Anthony Melton and re-signing Gary Payton II. With two key additions to their backcourt rotation, the Dubs could be in a significantly more balanced place than they are now.
