Filling the loss of Malcolm Brogdon
There was one Bucks departure that has continued to draw up quite the stir, well after their eventful offseason dealings. No, it was not losing the championship pedigree of veteran big man Pau Gasol (bless his heart), but rather the stunning decision to move on from Malcolm Brogdon.
Of course, the Bucks accelerated Brogdon’s departure to some degree as they agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Indiana Pacers to recoup some draft picks, including a protected first-rounder in the 2020 NBA Draft, in exchange for Brogdon’s services.
While that gives the Bucks some draft assets in what was becoming an increasingly bare war chest, going about replacing what will be lost with Brogdon now off to greener pastures is, by far, one of the biggest questions facing this Bucks team heading into the year.
In Brogdon’s stead, the Bucks are relying on a pair of veteran sharpshooters in Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews, as well as a trio of developing wings between Sterling Brown, Pat Connaughton and Donte DiVincenzo to collectively supplant the production that Brogdon adeptly provided when on the floor during the regular season and in the playoffs.
The Bucks’ committee approach may ultimately combine to provide something close to what Brogdon did on his own through their sum of their parts. And Brogdon may ultimately not hit the highly efficient standard he set for himself now in Indiana after compiling a 50-40-90 season.
We’ll just have to wait and see whether the Bucks’ gamble will prove to be successful in the long run this season.