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One of the more surprising moves in the NBA this summer was the Milwaukee Bucks allowing restricted free agent point guard Malcolm Brogdon to sign an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers.
The Bucks elected to reward Khris Middleton with a max contract, and they had practically no choice but to let Brogdon walk so as to free up cap space. Still, the move was a bit of a head-scratcher.
Brogdon had been an impressive talent in his first few years in the league. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2017, and last season he joined the exclusive 50-40-90 club.
The former University of Virginia star was one of the better outside shooter on Milwaukee's squad while also defining their hard-nosed defensive mindset in the backcourt. It seemed like Brogdon would be the perfect complementary star to Giannis Antetokounmpo and a key member of the future core.
Instead, the Bucks let Brogdon walk. Suddenly, he became a vital member of a Pacers team looking to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference without Victor Oladipo.
Early indications suggest that Brogdon is everything the Pacers paid for…and more. Brogdon is averaging 22.0 points, 11.3 assists and 5.3 through his first four games in Indiana.
Is Brogdon a star in the making?
Steady
That is the best word to define Brogdon's game. He is hardly the flashiest or most athletic player in the league. But he is smart and steady. Brogdon ranks ninth in win shares and 12th in VORP.
The greater offensive burden has not bothered Brogdon one bit. He ranks third in offensive win shares, according to Basketball-Reference. Not to mention, Brogdon is still shooting close to 40 percent from beyond the arc with greater volume. His Effective Field Goal Percentage is down, but that should change when Brogdon gets a better feel for the flow of the game as the primary ball-handler and playmaker.
Brogdon has success whether he plays the point or shooting guard. He is big and physical enough for both positions, but he can handle the ball efficiently and he uses his body as leverage against smaller defenders.
Something to watch: Brogdon is barely shooting above 50 percent at the rim. If he can become more proficient at finishing through contact, he is going to be hard to stop since he shoots the ball so well.
Best backcourt?
Brogdon could make Oladipo that much more lethal when he returns. Oladipo can sit in his natural shooting guard and have less pressure to create for his teammates. He has never played with someone that has pure point guard potential like Brogdon.
Their skill sets also complement each other. Oladipo is better when he attacks off the bounce and spots up for jumpers rather than shooting off the dribble. Brogdon can find him for also shots while also serving as an outlet on the perimeter when Oladipo looks to make plays at the rim.
Oladipo (should he return fully healthy) and Brogdon could be a deadly backcourt for years to come.
