According to NBA insiders Kelly Iko, Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets are interested in trading for Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon.
The Rockets would like to add a two-way ballhandler at the NBA trade deadline, which is on February 8.
“Elsewhere, the Rockets would like to add another two-way ballhandler, league sources said, one that can play both on and off the ball,” Iko, Charania and Amick wrote. “Malcolm Brogdon, currently playing in Portland averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game and shooting 41 percent from 3 is a name of interest, league sources said.
“But, it must also be noted that any addition in the backcourt could potentially reduce playing time for rookies Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson — who team sources said are off the table, except for a deal involving a star player — which might cause some hesitation in aggressively hunting for help. In addition, Houston is not interested in trading either Eason or Smith, team sources said.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
Brogdon is averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks this season while shooting 44.2% from the floor, 41.9% from 3 and 82.9% from the foul line. He’s making $22.5 million.
The Rockets are 22-24. They are in 11th place in the Western Conference standings. Head coach Ime Udoka’s insistence on making the playoffs this season has accelerated the franchise into “Phase 2” of its plan.
Brogdon, 31, has career averages of 15.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks with the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Blazers. He won the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year Award with the Bucks and the 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award with the Celtics.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
Along with the Rockets, Brogdon has drawn trade interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
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