Knicks’ True Feelings Exposed: What Malcolm Brogdon’s Sudden Retirement Really Triggered Inside the Team

Malcolm Brogdon hanging up his sneakers just days before the NBA season tips off—now that’s a plot twist nobody saw coming, especially not the New York Knicks. How often does a team prep for a new campaign thinking they’ve landed a seasoned pro only to have the rug yanked right from under them at the last second? Brogdon, once the league’s Sixth Man of the Year and a player whose bench prowess turned heads across multiple franchises, suddenly stepping away has left a ripple of shock and a whole lot of unanswered questions. Sure, we didn’t get to see him in the blue and orange, but his absence already feels like a missing piece in a Knicks puzzle many were eager to solve. So, with this unexpected retirement, what’s next for a team still dreaming big in the Eastern Conference, and how will they pivot when one of their veteran anchors just vanished? Let’s unpack it.

Charlotte Hornets v Washington Wizards — (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Malcolm Brogdon was supposed to be an important member of the New York Knicks in the new season.

However, the NBA was shocked when the former Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year announced his retirement on Wednesday, just days before Opening Night.

According to reports, the Knicks did not see this coming.

“The Knicks are ‘stunned’ about Malcolm Brogdon sudden retirement,” per DallasHoopsJournal.

The Knicks are “stunned” about Malcolm Brogdon sudden retirement, per @DALHoopsJournal

Brogdon was going to make the final roster

(https://t.co/bBz9qqqjro) pic.twitter.com/Z2t094rOJO

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 15, 2025

Brogdon was set to come to New York after years with the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Wizards.

There was a time when he was the most impactful bench player in the league, leading to his Sixth Man trophy in 2022-23 when he was still with Boston.

Sadly, the last couple of seasons saw Brogdon hit a few snags with his injuries.

Still, the level of experience and expertise he was going to bring to New York would have helped them build stability, especially off the bench.

Brogdon didn’t reveal the reason for his retirement, but his absence will be felt.

He leaves the league with a career average of 15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

The Knicks will miss Brogdon, even though they never got a chance to play with him, but they have enough assets on their roster to make a splash in the East.

They are still expected to be one of the best teams in their conference, with many analysts and fans feeling like they could go all the way to the NBA Finals.

Losing Brogdon hurts, especially this close to the start of the season, but the Knicks aren’t giving up on their hopes of becoming champions.

The post Details Emerge About Knicks’ Reaction To Malcolm Brogdon’s Retirement appeared first on The Cold Wire.