Injury-Prone Again! Can Malcolm Brogdon Be the Missing Piece for a Championship in His Contract Year?

Once again, Malcolm Brogdon finds himself sidelined due to injury. According to Josh Robbins from The Athletic, Brogdon suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb during a recent training session and has already undergone surgery. He’s expected to be out for at least a month, which means he will miss the entire preseason and the regular season opener. This news likely triggers two immediate reactions among basketball fans: "Wait, when did Brogdon join the Wizards?" and "How is he injured again?"

To answer the first question, Brogdon was still with the Boston Celtics during the 2022-23 season. Playing in 67 games exclusively off the bench, he averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on efficient shooting splits of 48.4% from the field, 44.4% from three, and 87.0% from the free-throw line, with a true shooting percentage of 61.5%. His strong performance earned him the Sixth Man of the Year award, with 64% of the first-place votes. Despite his impressive play, Boston didn’t keep him around. In the 2023 offseason, Brogdon was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the deal for Jrue Holiday.

However, Portland didn’t view him as part of their future plans either. This past offseason, Brogdon was traded yet again, this time to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Deni Avdija, rookie Jordan Hawkins (the 14th overall pick), a 2029 protected first-round pick, and two second-round picks. While the Holiday trade garnered attention, Brogdon’s move to Washington flew under the radar, partly because both teams involved are in the midst of rebuilding and neither he nor Avdija are household names.

As for the second question, it’s no secret that Brogdon has struggled with injuries throughout his career. This latest setback continues a troubling trend of physical setbacks that have plagued him since his early years in the league.

The Long History of Malcolm Brogdon’s Injuries

Calling Brogdon injury-prone isn’t an exaggeration—it’s simply a fact of his career thus far. Even before this latest thumb injury, Brogdon’s availability has been a constant concern for every team he’s played for. Just last season, after being traded to Portland, Brogdon appeared in only 39 games, largely due to an elbow injury that sidelined him after February. This limited his trade value and made it harder for Portland to move him before the deadline.

Going back further, his injury history is extensive. During his 2021-22 season with the Indiana Pacers, Brogdon only played in 36 games due to various injuries. In fact, if you zoom out to his last five seasons, Brogdon has managed to play more than 56 games in only one of those years. Even earlier in his career, after winning Rookie of the Year in 2017, Brogdon missed significant time in his sophomore season, sitting out 34 games with a quadriceps injury, and missing 18 games the year after due to plantar fasciitis.

To put his availability into perspective, Brogdon has played in 439 games over the course of his career. For comparison, Buddy Hield, who was part of the same 2016 draft class, has played in 632 games. That’s a difference of 193 games—essentially two full seasons that Brogdon has missed compared to his peers. Even Jamal Murray, who sat out nearly a year and a half with an ACL tear, has played in more career games (469) than Brogdon.

Given this track record, it’s fair to label Brogdon as a "glass man"—a term often used to describe players with a propensity for injury. Yet, when healthy, Brogdon is undeniably effective. As previously mentioned, he won the Sixth Man of the Year award just a year ago, and his career-best 2020-21 season saw him average 21.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Even in his injury-riddled 2023-24 season, he averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on solid shooting splits (44.0% from the field, 41.2% from three, and 81.9% from the free-throw line) in the games he did play.

What Makes Brogdon Special When Healthy?

Brogdon’s skill set as a two-way guard is rare. He can score, pass, defend, and do so with impressive efficiency. In fact, Brogdon’s shooting efficiency was once so exceptional that he earned a spot in the exclusive "50-40-90 club" during the 2018-19 season, meaning he shot at least 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line over the course of an entire season. This level of shooting accuracy, combined with his ability to facilitate and defend, makes him a valuable piece for any contending team.

Despite his injury concerns, Brogdon has consistently been a versatile player. He’s capable of playing both guard positions, providing value as either a primary ball-handler or an off-ball shooter. His court vision and passing ability allow him to function as a lead guard, while his shooting makes him a threat as a secondary playmaker. Brogdon’s defensive skills, while not elite, are more than adequate, as he has a strong, 6'5" frame and the basketball IQ to defend both guard positions effectively.

However, the one knock on Brogdon aside from his injuries is his lack of elite athleticism. He doesn’t have the speed or explosiveness that many of today’s top guards possess, which limits his ability to finish at the rim and break down defenses off the dribble. This lack of burst means Brogdon often relies on his basketball IQ and skill rather than his athleticism to be effective. He’s a player who needs the ball in his hands to find his rhythm, but without that elite first step, he struggles to create easy scoring opportunities.

What’s Next for Brogdon?

As Brogdon approaches his 32nd birthday this December, he’s entering a critical phase of his career. The upcoming season is the final year of his current contract, meaning his performance this year could determine whether or not he secures one last lucrative deal. For a player with Brogdon’s injury history, the stakes are incredibly high. He needs to prove not only that he can stay healthy but also that he can still play at a high level.

Missing the start of the season isn’t ideal, but Brogdon is expected to return relatively early in the regular season. Whether or not he can maintain his health after that will be crucial, not just for his career but for his potential trade value. Given the Wizards’ current rebuilding phase, Brogdon’s name is likely to come up in trade discussions, especially if he can perform at a high level when he returns. A healthy Brogdon could be an enticing asset for a contending team looking to add a versatile guard to their roster.

For now, though, Brogdon’s focus has to be on getting healthy. His injury history, combined with his advancing age, means that any additional setbacks could be career-altering. Teams might be willing to overlook his injury history if he can deliver solid production when healthy, but another significant injury could greatly diminish his value.

Can He Be a Championship Piece?

Assuming Brogdon can return to form and avoid further injuries, he could very well be a valuable piece for a team in contention. Teams looking for a guard who can both score and facilitate will find Brogdon’s skill set appealing. His ability to operate as either a primary or secondary ball-handler makes him adaptable to various systems, and his efficient shooting would be a major asset in a playoff setting where floor spacing and shot-making become paramount.

Of course, there’s always the risk that Brogdon’s injuries catch up to him. His durability—or lack thereof—is the primary concern for any team considering trading for him. However, if Brogdon can manage to stay healthy for a significant stretch, he could be exactly the kind of player that championship contenders covet: a high-IQ, versatile guard who can contribute on both ends of the floor.

Looking ahead, the upcoming season is likely to be a make-or-break year for Brogdon. If he can stay healthy and perform well, he could position himself for one final contract and perhaps even be part of a championship run. But if injuries continue to sideline him, Brogdon may find it increasingly difficult to stay in the league, let alone land a spot on a title-contending team.