Malcolm Brogdon Confident He’ll Earn a Place on Knicks’ Final Roster
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Veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon arrived at New York Knicks training camp this week on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract, insisting he plans to turn the invitation into a full-time job.
“I come here with the expectation I’m going to make the team,” Brogdon told reporters on September 28. “What I bring to the table can help this team.” The 32-year-old said he declined other NBA opportunities to compete for a spot at Madison Square Garden.
Seeking a Championship Environment
Brogdon explained that entering his 10th NBA season was a key factor in choosing New York. “Going into my 10th year, I wanted to be in a good organization that’s competing and trying to win a championship,” he said. “I had that in Milwaukee, Boston, and here I think there’s a real shot.”
Track Record and Recent Setbacks
The 2017 Rookie of the Year owns career averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from three and 87.4 percent at the line. Injuries, however, have limited him in three of the past four seasons, including a career-low 24 games last year.
Fit Next to Jalen Brunson
New York struggled to find reliable secondary ball-handling behind All-Star guard Jalen Brunson last season. Brogdon, along with free-agent addition Jordan Clarkson, could bolster that area while also supplying backcourt defense.
“Anything that can take pressure off Jalen is the big goal,” Brogdon said. “That’s what I want to do this year—take pressure off him on both sides of the ball and everybody else.”
Versatility and Adaptability
Brogdon described himself as a “Swiss Army knife” capable of handling, creating and defending. He added that playing under three coaches in three seasons should help him adjust quickly to new head coach Mike Brown’s system. “This league is about who can adjust fastest,” he noted.
The guard said conversations with the Knicks had been ongoing before he finalized the camp deal. “I was really set on being on the Knicks,” he said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
