Don’t count on Pelicans guard Bruce Brown or Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon to reach the free agent market. According to reports from NBA insider Jake Fischer and The Athletic’s David Aldridge, neither player is expected to emerge as a buyout candidate (Twitter links).
The Pelicans are acquiring Brown in their Brandon Ingram trade with Toronto. While Brown spent much of the first half recovering from a knee procedure and has been limited him to 18 games this season, the Pelicans plan to hang onto him and the two sides have a level of interest in continuing their relationship if all goes well, says Fischer. Brown will have the rest of this season to get healthy as he plays out the last year of his contract (worth $23MM).
Brown was a valuable contributor on Denver’s championship team, earning a big payday from the Pacers before he was sent out in the move that brought back Pascal Siakam. He’ll undoubtedly have a bevy of suitors this offseason if he continues to show flashes of that version of himself. He’s averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season.
Likewise, Brogdon certainly would’ve drawn interest on the buyout market, but the Wizards value him as a veteran mentor, according to Aldridge. He and newly acquired vets Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart are expected to serve in that role for the remainder of the season. Brogdon is on an expiring $22.5MM contract.
Like Brown, Brogdon has dealt with injuries. Over the past two years, he has been limited to 60 total appearances with Washington and Portland. In 21 games this season (13 starts), he’s averaging 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Holding onto Brogdon means the Wizards will have to find another way to open up a roster spot if they have interest in converting either of their two-way players to a standard contract this year. Justin Champagnie has been a regular contributor for the squad, averaging 7.8 points on 38.0% shooting and making 13 starts this season.
Due to their sizable cap hits, neither Brown nor Brogdon would be eligible to sign with a first- or second-apron team if they were bought out.