After nine seasons in the NBA, Malcolm Brogdon made the surprising decision to retire from the league, he told ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday.
"Today, I officially begin my transition out of my basketball career," Brogdon said in a statement. "I have proudly given my mind, body and spirit to the game over the last few decades. With the many sacrifices it took to get here, I have received many rewards. I am deeply grateful to have arrived to this point on my own terms and now to be able to reap the benefits of my career with my family and friends. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all who have had a place in my journey."
Brogdon was drafted No. 36 in 2016 by the Bucks, for whom he played his first three seasons. He earned the 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year award while in Milwaukee. From there, he spent three seasons with the Pacers, then one season a piece for the Celtics, Trail Blazers and Wizards.
The 32-year-old was expected to make the Knicks' final roster for the 2025–26 season before he announced his retirement.
Brogdon's Sixth Man of the Year campaign came in Boston
Brogdon made a huge impact in Boston during his one and only season with the Celtics in 2022–23. This was the only season of his career in which he didn't start a single contest—he was instead the team's first player off the bench, a.k.a. the sixth man. His averages of 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists that season helped the Celtics all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals and led him to win the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. He's only the second player after Mike Miller to win both this award and the Rookie of the Year award in their careers.
Brogdon's NBA career was filled with unfortunate injuries
Brogdon ended his NBA Career with an injury
Brogdon's NBA career was unfortunately injury-filled. Most recently, he suffered a left ankle sprain, ending his 2024–25 season with the Wizards back in February. He was reportedly contemplating retirement during his recovery, and he ultimately ended up decided to call it a career. Earlier in the season, Brogdon underwent surgery to repair a right thumb ligament tear, causing him to start the season late in mid-November. He only played in 24 games this past season.
During the Celtics' Eastern Conference finals series in 2023, Brogdon suffered a partial tear of a tendon in his right elbow. This injury seemingly impacted the opportunity for him to be traded to the Clippers in June '23 as Los Angeles was worried about his recovery. He later was traded to the Trail Blazers and started the season on time.
Arguably Brogdon's most impactful injury was the sore Achilles he endured during the 2021-22 season with the Pacers. He missed 41 games that season due to this injury.
Brogdon's best season ended early because of injury
While in his final year with the Bucks in 2018–19, Brogdon became the eighth player in NBA history to record a 50-40-90 season: finishing over 50% in field goal percentage, 40% in three-point percentage and 90% in free throw percentage. He even led the league in free throw percentage at .928.
However, this career-best season ended early on March 16 of that year after he suffered a plantar fascia tear in his right foot. He was able to return in the playoffs for the Bucks a couple months later.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Knicks' Malcolm Brogdon Makes Surprising Retirement Decision Ahead of 2025–26 Season.
