For the first time, Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon have spoken publicly about the trade that sent them to the Portland Trailblazers in exchange for Jrue Holiday.
Brad Stevens took a gamble in dealing Williams, and it came as a bit of a surprise. The Time Lord was drafted by the Celtics in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft and had established himself as a key player for the Celtics, especially on the defensive end.
Though the trade wasn't easy, it doesn’t appear Williams has any hard feelings towards Boston. “I’m pretty content with knowing it’s a business,” Williams said. “I’ve got love for all those guys back there on that side always.”
“No trade is easy, especially your first one,” the 25-year-old said. “But I got my dawg (Brogdon) so it made it a little better.”
Boston moving on from Brogdon wasn’t as surprising. The reigning Sixth Man of The Year was reportedly involved in a deal that would have sent him to the Los Angeles Clippers, Marcus Morris to the Washington Wizards, and Kristaps Porzingis to Boston. However, the trade fell apart at the last minute due to the Clippers having concerns about Brogdon’s elbow injury suffered in the Conference Finals against the Heat.
On top of the failed trade, it was later reported Brogdon was upset with how the team handled his injury. A fresh start was needed for Brogdon, and he will get that opportunity in Portland.
One aspect about Portland that intrigues Brogdon is the opportunity to work with head coach Chauncey Billups, with whom Brogdon has a relationship from a trip to Egypt with Basketball Without Borders.
“It’s a special opportunity for a big guard like me to be able to play for a legend, Hall of Famer, a guy of his stature,” Brogdon said. To be a part of something he (Billups) is building from the ground up. That’s an awesome experience to be a part of.”
With the Blazers committed to their youth movement, there were questions about whether or not Brogdon would be staying there, but Blazers GM Joe Cronin put that speculation to rest last week saying “We want to have Malcolm come here and be a part of this.”
Brogdon, who is now on his third team in three years, expressed a similar feeling.
“I’ve had conversations with the Blazers’ front office, with Chauncey (Billups),” the 30-year-old said. “They want me here, I wanna be here. There is a lot of misleading information out there about they need to trade me or I wanna go to a contender.”
Brogdon has two more years left on his contract and is due $22.5 million each season.
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