Malcolm Brogdon

Malcolm Brogdon Retires From NBA Following 9 Seasons

Justin Rimpi

Just when the New York Knicks were figuring out how to juggle their jam-packed bench, veteran Guard Malcolm Brogdon went and made the decision for them. In a move that blindsided pretty much everyone outside his inner circle, Brogdon has decided to hang up his high-tops for good.

After nine seasons, two major awards, and a reputation as one of the most cerebral players in the game, the 32-year-old is calling it a career. He told the Knicks brass on Wednesday, effectively turning his training camp deal into a farewell tour.

“Today, I officially begin my transition out of my basketball career,” Brogdon said in a statement to ESPN, sounding every bit the elder statesman he was on the court. “I have proudly given my mind, body, and spirit to the game… I am deeply grateful to have arrived to this point on my own terms.”

Brogdon’s Unique NBA Legacy

It is not every day a second-round pick snags Rookie of the Year honors, but that’s exactly what Brogdon did with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017. He wasn’t just a flash in the pan, either. Fast forward to 2023, and he’s hoisting the Sixth Man of the Year trophy with the Boston Celtics. The only other player to win both? Mike Miller. That is some seriously elite company.

But the last couple of years have been a different story. The grind of an NBA season takes its toll, and a string of nagging injuries limited Brogdon to a career-low 24 games with the Wizards last season. His normally sharp three-point shooting dipped, and the writing was on the wall, even if we couldn’t read it.

A Surprising End In New York

When the Knicks signed him in September, it felt like a classic low-risk, high-reward move to add a steady, veteran hand to their chaotic bench. Most insiders had Brogdon penciled in to make the final roster. He had the defensive chops, the offensive poise, and the high basketball IQ that coaches dream of.

Instead, he played a few preseason games, looked a bit off his game, and decided his body and spirit had given enough. You have to respect it. In a league where players often hang on for one last paycheck, Brogdon is walking away on his own terms, ready to “reap the benefits of my career with my family and friends.”

For the Knicks, it’s an unexpected “blessing in disguise,” as it solves their roster headache without forcing them to trade away a young prospect. But for the league, it is the quiet departure of a true professional.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

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