Malcolm Brogdon’s surprising retirement just days before the regular season has left the New York Knicks re-evaluating their backup point guard situation. Initially sought to serve as the primary substitute for All-Star Jalen Brunson, Brogdon’s departure means the Knicks will now rely on existing talent within their roster, including combo guard Miles McBride and second-year player Tyler Kolek.
Brunson expressed his confidence in McBride and Kolek, stating, “We’re in good hands, great hands,” highlighting their dedication to improving their game. Both players have been putting in the work, which gives Brunson assurance that they will be ready when called upon. Head coach Mike Brown echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the philosophy of “next man up” while acknowledging the uncertainty of how playing time will be allocated behind Brunson, who averaged a hefty 35.4 minutes per game in the past few seasons.
With last year’s backup, Cam Payne, now with the Pacers, McBride appears to be the frontrunner for the backup role. However, Kolek demonstrated his potential by scoring 20 points and recording six assists in the recent preseason game against Washington. Brown commented that the depth of the roster provides opportunities for players to step up and earn their minutes, stating, “It’s just a case of earning your stripes.”
Brogdon’s retirement concluded a notable nine-year career that included accolades such as the NBA Rookie of the Year award with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017 and Sixth Man of the Year recognition with the Boston Celtics in 2023. Coach Brown, who had previously sought out Brogdon to play for the Nigerian national team, praised him as an “incredible human being” and expressed interest in seeing what the future holds for him.
Brunson noted that he learned about Brogdon’s decision through social media, acknowledging the difficulty of such a choice. He expressed respect for Brogdon, reflecting on their shared experiences on the court and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
Brogdon’s departure also simplifies the Knicks’ roster dynamics ahead of the season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team can now make final roster decisions without needing to pursue trades to clear salary-cap space to keep players Landry Shamet or Garrison Mathews, who are currently on non-guaranteed deals.
Mathews remarked on the competitiveness of the training camp and his own performance, emphasizing his satisfaction with the team culture. As the Knicks move forward, they remain poised to adapt and overcome this unexpected change, showcasing the resilience and depth of their lineup.