Former Celtics Guard Makes ‘Sudden’ Decision After Joining Knicks
Just one month after signing a one-year contract with the New York Knicks, former Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon is retiring.
The 32-year-old announced his surprising decision on Wednesday.
“Just in: After nine NBA seasons, New York Knicks guard Malcolm Brogdon has decided to retire from basketball, he tells ESPN. Brogdon became the 2017 Rookie of the Year and 2023 Sixth Man of the Year after being drafted No. 36 in 2016,” ESPN’s Shams Charania posted on X. “Malcolm Brogdon was set to make the Knicks’ regular season roster, but had been contemplating retirement and informed Knicks officials on Wednesday of his decision.”
Here’s Brogdon’s full statement on the move, which Charania called “sudden“:
“Today, I officially begin my transition out of my basketball career. I have proudly given my mind, body and spirit to the game over the last few decades. With the many sacrifices it took to get here, I have received many rewards. I am deeply grateful to have arrived to this point on my own terms and now to be able to reap the benefits of my career with my family and friends. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all who have had a place in my journey.”
The University of Virginia product spent the first three seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, including his 2016-17 Rookie of the Year campaign.
Brogdon then played three years with the Indiana Pacers before being traded to the Celtics in July 2022 in a deal that sent five players out of Boston, including Aaron Nesmith.
The former second-round pick spent just one season with the Celtics, but it was a good one, as he averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 26.0 minutes per game off the bench. Brogdon won the Sixth Man of the Year award with Boston, becoming just the second player in NBA history to earn both that honor and the Rookie of the Year award.
He was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in October 2023 in a blockbuster move that saw guard Jrue Holiday land with the Celtics.
Brogdon was limited to 39 games during his lone campaign in Portland before being sent to the Washington Wizards in July 2024.
He averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds in a career-low 24 games last season with the Wizards.