10 Players Lakers may replace Gabe Vincent with by the trade deadline
By Tyler Watts
6. Malcolm Brogdon
The Blazers acquired the reigning Sixth Man of the Year from the Celtics in the Jrue Holiday trade, and there have already been rumblings about him being moved. The veteran is serving as a mentor and sixth man in Portland but will draw interest from contenders before the deadline.
The Trail Blazers may be motivated to make a deal quickly after Robert Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury, but trade talks usually don’t pick up until closer to the deadline.
Brogdon has a lengthy injury history too. He has played more than 56 regular season games in just three of his first seven NBA campaigns. The Lakers would have to take that into account when acquiring him.
The 6’5 guard is a career 38.7 percent 3-point shooter who handles the ball, makes plays, and rebounds well. He would take some of the offensive load off LeBron and Austin Reaves. Brogdon would also give the Lakers an option to run their second unit and let King James rest. There would be defensive questions, but it is not like Brogdon is a total zero on that end of the floor.
Malcolm Brogdon is under contract for $22.5 million next season, and the Lakers would be getting one of the league’s best sixth men. If they do not have the best package for Brogdon, LA could look to acquire a familiar face.