Did Malcolm Brogdon’s injury prevent Celtics from trading for Kristaps Porzingis? Sixth Man of the Year’s injury explored

Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon was reportedly on his way to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team deal involving the Washington Wizards. That trade fell through, and now it looks like Brogdon will stay in Boston.

ESPN’s NBA insider Brian Windhorst said Brogdon’s injury history caused the deal to fall through. He said Brogdon’s injuries are so severe that the Celtics won’t be able to move him in the short term.

Brogdon played limited minutes and missed a game during the Eastern Conference Finals with an elbow injury this season. The Celtics were eliminated by the Miami Heat in seven games in the series.

Brogdon won Sixth Man of the Year in 2022-23 and played well in his first season in Boston. He averaged 14.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in 67 games, all off the bench. He missed 15 games due to injuries. Sat with lower back pain and Achilles tendon pain on multiple occasions.

Burgdon has played fewer than 60 games in four of his seven NBA seasons. He is currently dealing with a partial torn elbow tendon and is considering off-season surgery.

He played just 36 games with the Indiana Pacers in 2021-22. He sat out several times due to Achilles and hamstring injuries. He never played a full 82 games.

What is the suggested Brogdon trade?

Brogdon was nearly sent to Los Angeles on a three-team deal. The Clippers were going to get Brogdon. The Celtics would have acquired Kristaps Porcingis. The Wizards would have landed role players including Danilo Gallinari, Marcus Morris and Amir Coffey. Washington would also have had the 30th pick in the 2023 draft.

“Brogdon has a health problem, a health problem as I understand it, is very significant, and not only can the Celtics not be able to make this trade, there is probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade that they can do in the short term.”

– Brian Windhorst

(via @tweet /h/tb/r)

“Brogdon has a health problem, a health problem as I understand it, is very significant, and not only can the Celtics not be able to make this trade, there is probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade that they can do in the short term.” – Brian Windhorst (trans @tweet /h/tb/r)

Brogdon was suited to the Clippers’ deep and talented offense. However, Los Angeles has enough injury issues to deal with on its own. Its stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, are constantly losing time due to injury. Both missed most of the playoff games in the Clippers’ first-round series against the Suns.

Instead, Boston executed a three-team deal with the Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. The Celtics received Porzingis and two first-round picks.

Marcus Smart was sent to Memphis. Tyus Jones was sent to the Wizards. Washington also received Gallinari, Mike Muscala and the No. 35 pick in Thursday’s draft.