Celtics' Plan B Signs $85 Million Contract, Part Of Sign-And-Trade Deal

Milwaukee Bucks have lost their second player of the offseason after restricted free agent Malcolm Brogdon agreed to join Indiana Pacers as part of a sign-and-trade deal. Nikola Mirotic was the first to depart the best regular season team of the 2018-19 season after the power forward decided to quit the NBA and join Euroleague team Barcelona.

Brogdon played a secondary role for the Bucks last season behind MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton but can now be a frontline star with the Pacers. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the point guard has signed a four-year deal worth $85 million while the Pacers are sending the Bucks a first-round and two second-round picks in return for Brogdon.

The 2017 Rookie of the Year averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 64 starts last season. He shot 50.5 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from beyond the arc and 92.8 percent from the free throw line, which saw him join the elusive 50-40-90 club in the NBA.

The Boston Celtics had Brogdon on their radar as part of a plan B as they look for replacements for the departing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. It is unclear if they made an offer for the guard, who has now been traded to the Pacers.

The Celtics are not on the market for a point guard anymore after landing Kemba Walker on a max deal from Charlotte Hornets less than 24 hours after free agency began. They have found an almost like-for-like replacement for Irving and are now likely to be looking for a talented center to replace Horford and Aron Baynes, who was traded in June.

Meanwhile, the Bucks have ensured they are retaining key pieces of the team around Antetokounmpo and have secured the long-term futures of Middleton and Brook Lopez, according to Yahoo Sports. The former has signed a five-year deal worth $178 million while the latter has agreed a four-year deal worth $52 million.