Malcolm Brogdon’s time in Milwaukee has come to an end, and now he’ll try to help the Pacers rise in the East.
Whether or not Kawhi Leonard leaves the Raptors, this season showed us that the Eastern Conference is fertile ground.
The way Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Toronto filled the void left by LeBron James has changed the approach of teams looking to reach the NBA Finals. As the Raptors showed us, it’s even possible to get there and win.
Milwaukee looked like the team that might be powerful enough to topple the Warriors this season, and their heartbreak will be a motivating factor to run things back. Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton are returning on contracts that combine for over $200 million and the reigning MVP will be leading the charge.
Malcolm Brogdon won’t be apart of that journey. He will, however, be part of an attempt by the Indiana Pacers to be the next-team-up in the race to claim real estate atop the Eastern Conference. Brogdon was traded to Indiana on Sunday night for three draft picks (a first and two future seconds) and immediately signed a four-year, $85 million contract.
Brogdon was the Rookie of the Year back in 2017, which seems like ages ago in basketball chronology. Since then he’s been held back by a slew of injuries that have sidelined him for most of the past two seasons.
When he’s seen action, though, there’s a lot to like. Indiana is investing in its future by trading for Brogdon and pairing him with another injury hobbled but bright when he’s healthy star in Victor Oladipo. Lest we forget the prowess of Myles Turner, who together with Oladipo and Brogdon form a powerful core for Indiana to build around.
If those Brodgon and Oladipo can stay healthy, the Pacers are going to be a force in an Eastern Conference still harnessing its power.