The Knicks have added another vet to their bench. As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, free-agent guard Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to a one-year deal with New York, giving Mike Brown a reliable secondary ballhandler and a calm late-clock decision-maker.
Brogdon is more surgical than splashy. Across nine NBA seasons, he’s averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, toggling comfortably between on-ball creation and space-and-shoot duties. His mantle includes a Rookie of the Year trophy (2017) and a Sixth Man of the Year award (2023), and he could provide top-level playmaking to New York’s second unit.
If Brown wants clean offense without sacrificing defense, Brogdon is a good option. He thrives in pick-and-roll, makes the simple read, and punishes lax defenses with catch-and-shoot threes. He can run the secondary offense, share the court with starters as an off-guard, and won’t screw the team in late, close-game situations.
The question with Brogs is availability. He missed significant stretches in recent years, so the key will be role definition and workload management. The best strategy is to keep his minutes purposeful, surround him with shooting, and let his tempo govern the bench. If he’s right physically, he raises the floor on random Tuesdays and the ceiling in tight fourth quarters.
Brogdon’s path (Milwaukee, Indiana, Boston, Portland, and Washington) has tested him in different systems. His game has scaled along the way: as a steady starter, as a sixth-man scorer, and as a connector who reduces turnovers and noise. The Knicks sure could have used him last season!
With Landry Shamet returning on a one-year deal, Jordan Clarkson signing this summer, and Deuce McBride chomping at the bit, New York suddenly has real competition for secondary guard minutes. Training camp should sort out the roster, but Brogdon’s on-ball chops give him a path to consistent run as the second unit’s organizer and situational closer.
According to Ian Begley: “Malcolm Brogdon’s deal with the Knicks is non guaranteed, per source familiar with the matter. He will obviously get strong consideration for roster spot. Landry Shamet will also get strong consideration for the spot. If Knicks don’t make a trade, they will have to choose between the two vets.”
If the body holds up, this is a sharp piece of business. Brogdon provides Brown and the ‘Bockers with a trustworthy veteran playmaker off the bench. Paired with Jordan Clarkson (and if they’re both feeling their oats), we could have an exciting dynamic duo to plug in when the starters are resting. Now, I’ll need to remember it’s Brogdon and not Brogdan . . . and I’m still practicing Guerschon Yabusele. . . . This could be a rough season for P&T editors.
