Malcolm Brogdon may have only donned the Boston Celtics jersey for a single season, but his impact on the team’s fans and his fellow teammates, especially star player Jayson Tatum, was profound.

In the wake of the trade that shipped Brogdon off to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, Tatum took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to his former colleague.

Brogdon played a pivotal role in the Celtics’ success during the 2022-23 NBA season. Over the course of 67 games as a valuable bench player, he averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while showcasing his defensive prowess, reliable three-point shooting, and backcourt stability.

With Boston, Brogdon boasted impressive shooting percentages, registering 48.4 percent from the field and an astonishing 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Celtics also packaged him alongside big man Robert Williams III and future draft picks in the trade deal, securing the services of seasoned point guard and elite two-way talent Jrue Holiday in return. Brogdon’s influence on the team was exemplified by his Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2022-23 NBA season.

While Brogdon’s departure leaves a void in the Celtics’ roster, Boston is poised to benefit significantly from the addition of a championship-winning veteran like Holiday, who is expected to seamlessly fill the role left behind by Brogdon. The new Celtics Big Three, featuring Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Holiday, promises an exciting future for the team.

Although Brogdon will be dearly missed by Tatum and his fellow Celtics, the team looks forward to the positive impact that the presence of a seasoned champion like Holiday will bring.