Day: January 31, 2024

Malcolm Brogdon said he was happy and felt valued by the Portland Trail Blazers amid trade rumors.

“I’m happy here. I’m valued here. Valued in this leadership/lead-guard role. And I can’t complain with that. I’m happy in Portland,” Brogdon told Jason Quick of The Athletic.

Brogdon has been linked with several teams, including the Knicks.

Brogdon, whose contract runs through next season, added that he hasn’t talked to the team about any trades.

“We haven’t really talked about that. Of course, I’m sure they are looking at their options, but for me, it’s all about using every opportunity to play good basketball and help this team win,” said Brogdon.

Tyrese Haliburton is trying to get healthy to help the Indiana Pacers win games. Haliburton would also like to be eligible for NBA awards, because he has a significant financial stake in making named to an All-NBA team.

However, Haliburton has also missed 13 games. If he misses five more games this season, Haliburton won’t be eligible for NBA awards. That’s something he disagrees with.

“I think it’s a stupid rule, like plenty of the guys in the league, but this is what the owners want, so as players, we gotta do our job and play in 65 games if we’re able to,” Haliburton said. “So, that’s what I gotta do, take care of my body to be able to play in those games, and I think you’re seeing other players in the league kind of face the same thing. As long as the owners are happy.”

Haliburton signed a maximum rookie scale extension this past offseason. That deal will kick in with the 2024-25 season and projects to start at 25% of the salary cap. That now projects to be $35.25 million for 2024-25 and $204.5 million over the five-year deal.

If Haliburton makes an All-NBA team, his deal will bump up to start at 30% of the salary cap. That projects to be $42.3 million in 2024-25 and $245.3 million over five years.