Former Celtics guard makes candid admission about surprise trade

WASHINGTON — It’s been over a year now since the Celtics traded away Malcolm Brogdon on the eve of training camp as part of a package for Jrue Holiday in a blockbuster deal with the Blazers. On Friday night, the veteran guard suited up against his former teammates for the first time since the swap after injuries sidelined him for last year’s matchups.

Tensions were reportedly high with Brogdon and Boston’s front office in the lead up to the Holiday trade after the Celtics’ attempt to trade Brogdon to the Clippers in July 2023 fell apart. The three-team trade that would have brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston fell apart after the Clippers pulled out but Boston went on to move Marcus Smart to Memphis to complete a separate version of the deal, retaining Brogdon for a short stretch.

Brogdon was sent to Portland two months later for Holiday and spent one season with the Blazers before he was dealt against to the Wizards this past summer. On Friday night, he posted his first double-double of the season with the Wizards against the Celtics, posting 18 points and 10 rebounds in Boston’s 108-96 victory. After the setback, he spoke candidly for the first time about the Celtics decision to send him packing just days before the start of camp.

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“Yeah, I mean, guys get traded every year,” Brogdon said. “I think the teams, a lot of the time, it’s not personal, it’s a business decision. For the players, it is personal. You’re uprooting your family at the end of the day. You’re moving to a new city, you’re having to adjust to a new situation.”

Despite the painful emotions that likely came with moving from a contender to a rebuilding squad in Portland at the time, Brogdon acknowledged the obvious fallout if the deal, to his credit.

“Honestly, it was a good trade for them and we’ll both be good in the long run,” Brogdon admitted.

When pressed about his frustrations with Boston at the time of the deal, the veteran guard elected to take the high road about his former team.

“Honestly, I’m not even in a position anymore where I even talk about it,” Brogdon said. I’ve made peace with the situation and moved on. I’m in a good place now.”

The 31-year-old is in a contract year now and after missing the first month of the year with a thumb injury and looks ready to showcase his value in Washington. The rebuilding Wizards are building around their youth which makes Brogdon a candidate to be moved as the trade deadline approaches.

Another deal would mean Brogdon would get moved to a fourth team in a two-year stretch but the 6-foot-4 guard is keeping perspective about his situation

“Of course, it’s been tough but as far as disruptive and, you know, creating struggle in our life, I played basketball for a living,” Brogdon said. “People are really struggling, so I’m the last person to complain about getting up and going to work. You know, whether it’s on the west coast, whether it’s on the east coast. I’m the last person to complain about that.”

The Celtics don’t face off against Brogdon and the Wizards again until April 6 at TD Garden. By that point, it’s a very real possibility that Brogdon could be playing on another roster.