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Celtics Blog: Malcolm Brogdon could thrive in a Sixth Man role with Boston

Malcolm Brogdon Pacers Celtics

Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images

A couple of weeks ago, the Boston Celtics officially announced the acquisition of star guard Malcolm Brogdon.

As part of the deal, the Indiana Pacers sent Brogdon to Boston and received Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan and a 2023 first-round pick.

The Celtics decided to take on Brogdon’s $22.6M cap hit, even though they were above the luxury tax. They now have the NBA’s fifth-largest payroll at more than $170M for next season, according to Sportrac.

For his part, Malcolm Brogdon appreciated the move and thanked the team for believing in him.

“They already have a high payroll. I think it really is a testament to the Boston Celtics and how much they want to win. They’re willing to spend.

They’re willing to possibly have a guy that they’re paying $20 million per year come off the bench as the sixth man and try to help them win a championship,” Brogdon said, via Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston.

Brogdon is an upgrade to a Celtics team that struggled in its last three NBA Finals games against the Golden State Warriors. His ability to space the floor and initiate the offense makes him valuable to Boston head coach Ime Udoka.

Brogdon knows he won’t play with the ball in his hands as much as he did in Indiana. He knows he must play off the ball and create for himself. At the same time, his height and length make him a strong defender, which is key to the Celtics’ system.

Brogdon is confident he fits into Boston’s system and is grateful for the opportunity to play for the franchise.

“I fit on the court physically (with Boston). My skill set, my game, everything fits. Defensively, they were the best defensive team in the NBA; I think the gap only widens now that I’m on the team.

I don’t think it could really be a better fit. It’s fortuitous. I was meant to be there,” Brogdon added, via NBC Sports Boston.

His willingness to win and sacrifice makes him a perfect fit for the Celtics

Malcolm Brogdon knows he will come off the bench for the Boston Celtics. Boston president Brad Stevens made it clear that the franchise views Brogdon as a sixth man. For his part, the combo guard is in a win-now mode and ready to embrace the role.

“If I wanted to come to Boston, that’d be one of the things I’d need to embrace. For me, I’ve made a lot of money, I’ve won a lot in Milwaukee, I’ve won some in Indiana, but I really want to get back to winning on a high level.

I want to win a championship. So whatever I can sacrifice to get back to that championship level, I’m willing to do it and compete,” Brogdon told Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN’s “The Woj Pod”.

With Marcus SmartJaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum leading the way on offense, Malcolm Brogdon can help the second unit keep pace.

Averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists for Indiana last season, he showed he could be a game changer.

Boston will need to pay close attention to Brogdon’s health status. Appearing in just 36 games last season and no more than 60 in a season since 2018/19, Boston should be cautious.

They will need to manage his minutes during the regular season so that he will be at his best in the postseason. If that happens, he could be a difference-maker in the Celtics’ championship run.

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