Oct 16, 2025
3 min read
Veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon has suddenly decided to retire a week before the Knicks open the 2025-26 NBA season.
Just two weeks ago, during the Knicks' preseason trip to Abu Dhabi, Malcolm Brogdon made no secret of his expectations about what his role might be.
322-22-23-23-23 Campaigners Sixth Player, Trans Broskit, Gamnis, Grayson Mathews, as well as rotation minutes
But Wednesday, Brogdon suddenly retired after realizing during training camp that his same hunger wasn’t present, and that his nine-year NBA career had taken physical and mental tolls, a league source told The Post’s Stefan Bondy.
There is a glaring lack of depth at guard behind Jaylen Brunson a week before the opener leaves the Knicks.
"Today I officially begin my transition from basketball," Brogden said in a statement to ESPN.And I can take advantage of my career with my friends.Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has traveled on this journey.
Brogdon, who earned about $130 million in his career, signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Knicks last month and, despite the injury-plagued seasons, said last week he was feeling good.
He won the award in 2016-17 with a draw and continued to play in the ranks, Celikics, Trazers Truzers and the 24th in the first season of the final - assistant.
In injury time almost every matchVarious injurieshas limited his availabilityand determine the style of the injury narrative.
But his best came in 2022-22 with Boston, where he averaged 14.9 points in 67 games and came off the bench.
He told Bondy earlier this month that he possesses the skill set and versatility that could disrupt any NBA rotation, and for the Knicks, that means replacing Cameron Payne as Brunson's primary backup.
In the Knicks' four preseason games, Brogdon logged 51 minutes, shot 5 of 17 from the field and had 17 points.
"I think people who haven't done that have a lot of opinions about some of the greatest athletes in the world," Brogdon said last week when he was asked if the injury label was fair, "and I think people don't really understand what it's like to go through that. I don't think they really understand what it's like for your body to compete at this level that I think and tear the sport year in and year out."
With one preseason game and limited practice remaining before the opener, the Knicks' Crunch Roster just took another turn.Tyler Krek, their second pick last year, has shown potential and will be on the roster, but not in the rotation.
The Knicks also recently explored the possibility of a trade to free up a captain's spot — which would allow them to keep two of the three undrafted veterans (Brogdon, Shamet and Mathews) competing for a spot — Bondy previously said, but it's unclear how their strategy will change after Brogdon retires.
This affects the outlook for Matthews, known as a strong 3-point shooter, who will be in the Eastern Conference rotation next year.
Breaking the news of Brobdon's retirement an hour ago, Shamet says last season made him "appreciate everything" for any "gratitude".
He was spared from injury.
He had to play in the Ge League for the first time in his career.Everything today - driving to practice this morning if tired, the extent of being at home - is different.
"Whenever you go through adversity, adversity like this, it changes your perspective," Schmidt said, "and without it, you don't appreciate the good things — it's like saying 'no mud, no lotus.' You have to be a little dirty sometimes. But there's beauty on the other side."
And after Brogdon's retirement, his reality - and the reality of the Knicks duties list.
- Phnom Penh Post Stefan Bondy reports
