‘Pivotal’ for Boston Celtics to resolve bad blood with nearly-traded vet: Analyst

It’s “pivotal” the Boston Celtics resolve their bad blood with nearly-traded veteran floor general, and the league’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, before the start of the season according to NESN’s Gio Rivera; who believes it must be done following Brogdon’s pulled involvement in a Kristaps Porzingis trade.

“It’s unknown how much the offseason rumor has affected Brogdon’s feelings toward the organization or whether or not it’s impacted their communication,” Rivera prefaced before saying, “But regardless, it’ll be pivotal for Boston to resolve whatever bad blood is in place before Opening Night.” Rivera was addressing a report from The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn on CLNS’s “Celtics Beat” podcast, stating that Brogdon still had hurt feelings for having a medical ailment stop the Cs from sending him to the Los Angeles Clippers for Porzingis.

“I think he understands, but (it) doesn’t mean he’s not upset about it,” Washburn said. “So I was told he was not happy with how things went down. Now, does that increase his level of mistrust in the Celtics organization?”

Malcolm Brogdon a key returning piece for the Boston Celtics — or their top trade piece

Realistically, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and now Kristaps Porzingis are as close to untouchable as you can get in a trade right now, with all but Tatum and likely Brown subject to change if things don’t go as planned during the 2023-24 season. Brogdon is not guaranteed to return, as evidenced by the near-trade to L.A. and especially now with the potential of negative lingering feelings.

If things do get smoothed over between Brogdon and Boston, there’s a good chance the reigning 6MOY has more to give the Celtics; perhaps even championship-level contributions off the bench if the starting lineup was able to get the Cs within striking distance of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

If not, though, his $22.5 million salary is the key to Boston doing anything in the trade market — especially if paired with Robert Williams’s cap figure.

• Published on 09/17/2023 at 6:00 AM EDT
• Last updated on 09/17/2023 at 6:00 AM EDT