Along with the pain of losing beloved Celtics such as Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and (likely) Al Horford, Boston fans are also faced with the frustration of watching rival teams stock up on talent.
The sting hits even harder when former Celtics join those rivals directly. That’s the case with Malcolm Brogdon, who won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award with Boston in 2023 and agreed to a deal with the New York Knicks on Friday morning, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Brogdon wasn’t the only ex-Celtic to head to New York this summer. Fan favorite Guerschon Yabusele also signed with the Knicks in free agency, adding to the sense that Boston’s rivals are having all the fun while the Celtics spent the offseason cutting costs and turning over their roster.
Knicks Enter No-Excuses Season After Signing Ex-Celtic Malcolm Brogdon
Once known for leaning heavily on their starters under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks now boast one of the deepest benches in the league. With the hiring of head coach Mike Brown this offseason, the Knicks’ ability, and willingness, to utilize that depth will be a key subplot of their 2025-26 campaign.
The injuries suffered by Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton for the Indiana Pacers leave the Eastern Conference wide open, meaning the Knicks enter next season with fewer excuses than ever. It's their best chance to finally break through and make a serious run at the NBA Finals.
If the Knicks can keep him on the floor, though, Brogdon could end up being one of the more underrated additions of the summer.
Malcom Brogdon’s Ongoing Battle with Injuries
Although Brogdon’s stint with Boston was brief, it was impactful. He averaged 14.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds on elite shooting splits (48.4 FG%, 44.4 3PT%, 87.0 FT%). His contributions are often overlooked because, despite a strong regular season, a forearm injury derailed him in the playoffs—a frustrating but familiar trend in his career.
Questions about Brogdon’s durability date back to his college days. Since winning Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, he has not played in more than 67 games of any season. That lack of availability has defined much of his career and ultimately played a role in Boston’s decision to deal him.
When healthy, Brogdon remains one of the league’s most reliable backup guards. He should be a valuable pickup for a Knicks team that has often struggled offensively when Jalen Brunson rests. Still, he has to prove his worth when the action matters, leaving time to tell how much the ex-Celtic will move the needle in New York.