Malcolm Brogdon is doing the Warriors a favor they can’t ignore
There’s plenty of unrestricted free agents still searching for new teams this offseason, while a select few like Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton seemingly have guarantees from the Golden State Warriors.
Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons may be the biggest names on the unrestricted free agent market, but it’s Malcolm Brogdon who figures as potentially having the most impact heading into next season.
While the veteran point guard has been struck down by injury in the last couple of seasons, he’s still only two years removed from winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year with the Boston Celtics.
Malcolm Brogdon is doing the Warriors a favor by in free agency
Brogdon has been strongly linked to the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason, yet the 32-year-old curiously remains unsigned now over two months since the period officially opened.
Is that because he’s waiting for an opportunity with Golden State once Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency is resolved? That could certainly be the case after a report from NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line last week.
"In Brogdon's case, Golden State's long-running stalemate with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga has contributed to the uncomfortable wait," Fischer wrote. "We won't know if the Warriors emerge with more serious interest in Brogdon until the state of their roster and luxury tax bill becomes clear in the wake of a resolution to Kuminga's fate."
Despite his injury issues, surely there's not a world in which Brogdon finds himself out of the league entering next season? He still averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 23.5 minutes last season, while his shooting and low turnover rate should make him far more valuable compared to someone like Westbrook at his stage of his career.
If we assume that Brogdon will get a deal somewhere, then he's doing the Warriors a favor by holding out and subsequently giving them more options once Kuminga's free agency is settled. The former Rookie of the Year presents as one of the best remaining players on the market, and would fill a genuine need given the lack of point guards on the roster beyond Stephen Curry, but that doesn't mean Golden State are going to take advantage of this opportunity.
According to Fischer, the Warriors are curiously set to prioritize re-signing Gary Payton II, while Seth Curry and 56th overall pick Will Richard could also hinder Brogdon's chances of signing in the Bay.
Golden State would be best rewarding Brogdon's patience and making him a priority signing after Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton, yet they could still go in a different direction with a number of options still on the table.
Hall of Famer’s Take on LeBron James Sparks New Lakers Debate
Even with speculation about his future, LeBron James continues to be the standard by which today’s stars are measured. Recently, Charles Barkley drew parallels between James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off an MVP and Finals MVP season.
On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Barkley said that while Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant carried a “killer” edge, James — and now Gilgeous-Alexander — dominate the game in a different way.
“The three best players I’ve ever seen are Michael, Kobe and LeBron… Michael and Kobe were dangerous. They will kill your a–. LeBron is a nice guy, and that’s not a knock. He’s still great, great, great, but he’s a nice guy,” Barkley said.
He added that SGA has a similar “nice guy” aura, even as he puts up massive numbers on the game’s biggest stage.
Why LeBron Still Defines the Lakers Standard
Barkley’s comments highlight why James is still such a reference point. His game style has become a lens through which rising stars are judged. That’s part of why his status with the Los Angeles Lakers was such a major storyline this offseason.
Rumors suggested James was unsettled as the team pivoted toward Luka Doncic as the face of the franchise. That speculation sparked questions about whether James might consider his options. But according to those close to the situation, the reality may not have been quite as dramatic as some of the headlines made it seem.
Lakers Insider Pushes Back on Exit Talk
NBA insider Jared Greenberg downplayed the idea that James ever wanted out. Speaking on The Good Word with Goodwill, he pointed out that LeBron had the option to test free agency but chose to remain in Los Angeles.
“LeBron had the opportunity this summer to be a free agent and sign wherever he wanted… He didn’t want to sign for the minimum, he did not want to give away his no-trade clause. … Don’t then be confused as to why he’s still a Laker.” — via Yahoo Sports
Greenberg’s perspective suggests the exit chatter may have been overblown. Still, in today’s NBA, where stars often shift course quickly, it’s difficult to completely rule out future twists.
Lakers Would Be Reluctant to Move LeBron
Even if James had frustrations, a trade would have been highly unlikely. New owner Mark Walter is unlikely to want his name tied to such a move. Few executives would willingly attach their legacy to trading away one of the greatest players of all time.
That doesn’t mean circumstances can’t change down the line, but for now, James remains central to the team’s plans. He’s still producing at an elite level, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season. That kind of output keeps the Lakers competitive while Doncic enters his prime.
The Bottom Line
Barkley’s comparison shows how James continues to shape conversations about greatness — not just through his own game, but by how others are measured against him.
The rumors about a possible exit may have been overstated. James hasn’t pushed for a trade, and the Lakers appear in no rush to move him. But in a league where things change quickly, the speculation isn’t likely to disappear anytime soon.
For now, the focus turns to whether the James-Doncic pairing can push Los Angeles back into title contention — and whether LeBron can continue to set the standard for both his team and the league’s rising stars.
