Malcolm Brogdon Says He 'Didn't Feel Very Valued' With Celtics

There were rumors throughout last summer that the reigning Sixth Man of the Year was unhappy with the organization.

Malcolm Brogdon recently shed light on his feelings about his Boston Celtics tenure.

The Celtics were on the verge of trading Brogdon the night prior to the 2023 NBA Draft, when Boston ended up dealing Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in their three-team blockbuster to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. Brogdon was close to being moved to the Los Angeles Clippers as a part of the deal, but it ultimately fell through due to his health concerns.

Rumors swirled throughout last summer of Brogdon being displeased with the Celtics' organization due to their attempt to ship him. Though Celtics' President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens had stated that the relationship had been repaired and Brogdon was healthy for training camp, he still ended up being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers with Robert Williams in the move for Jrue Holiday.

"I’m happy here. I’m valued here. Valued in this leadership/lead-guard role,’’ the guard recently told The Athletic. “And I can’t complain with that. I’m happy in Portland."

Brogdon, in his lone season in Boston, became the Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 44.4 from three. He talked throughout 2022–23 about being content with being limited coming off of Boston's bench.

Once the reigning Sixth Man of the Year had the opportunity to air out his thoughts on the situation with the organization, there was no resistance.

“At times. At times,’’ Brogdon said of him being undervalued. “I was there for a year, won Sixth Man of the Year, and they shipped me out. So like... I didn’t feel very valued there. Here, I feel valued. Portland has embraced me. And I’ve enjoyed being coached by Chauncey (Billups)."

The 31-year-old described how he has viewed his time in Portland with excitement for an opportunity since arriving in October.

"I was excited to be here," the former Celtic said. I was excited to be with a championship coach. And I was excited to go from a place where I wasn’t as valued and go to a place where I am very valued."

There is a good chance Brogdon is moved again ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, with the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets among teams interested.

Further Reading

Celtics Accountable, Ready to Move on After Loss to Starless Lakers

Celtics' Fending Off Pacers' Second-Half Surge Reflects Their Determination to 'Fight Through Everything'

Derrick White Opens Up About Shooting Slump After Propelling Celtics Past Pelicans: 'Don't Feel Sorry for Yourself'

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'