Malcolm Brogdon Retires from NBA at Age 32 Weeks After Signing Knicks Contract

Veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon was expected to play a key role for the New York Knicks this season after signing a one-year deal with the team a month ago, but that's no longer the case.

In a stunning turn of events, Brogdon told ESPN's Shams Charania that he is retiring from basketball at the age of 32 after nine seasons in the NBA. He released a statement saying he's "grateful" for the career he's had in the league:

Brogdon signed with the Knicks on Sept. 12, and Charania reported at the time that he was "expected to have a rotation role for new coach Mike Brown." He would've provided some much-needed depth behind star point guard Jalen Brunson as one of the team's top playmakers off the bench.

A second-round pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, Brogdon turned out to be a diamond in the rough. He won Rookie of the Year for the 2016-17 season, making him the first second-round pick to win the award since 1965. In his third season, he became the eighth player in league history to achieve a 50–40–90 season, shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from three-point range and a league-best 92.8 percent from the free throw line.

After his historic season, Brogdon departed Milwaukee to join the Indiana Pacers through a sign-and-trade. He averaged a career-high 7.1 assists in his first year with the Pacers, and he followed that up with career bests of 21.2 points and 5.3 rebounds the next year. Following his third season in Indiana, he was on the move once again, as the team traded him to the Boston Celtics.

Despite playing behind veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, Brogdon still managed to make a significant impact in a bench role. He averaged 14.9 points and shot a career-high 44.4 percent from beyond the arc on his way to being named the 2023 NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Unfortunately, he suffered an elbow injury that postseason and was never the same.

Brogdon spent the 2023-24 season with the Portland Trail Blazers and the 2024-25 season with the Washington Wizards, appearing in a combined 63 games. While he still recorded respectable averages when he was healthy, his veteran status wasn't a fit for young, rebuilding teams.

While Brogdon's retirement is a surprise, he should be proud of what he's achieved in the NBA over nearly a decade. He was always known for his mature demeanor and for being a leader in the locker room. He will be remembered as one of the most unheralded players of his time, and he will now get to kick his feet up and enjoy retirement.