Former part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets and one of the key figures in bringing the team to the city from New Jersey, Jay-Z was recently asked to pick between the high-flying Knicks and the tanking Nets for next season. Instead of abandoning his love for the Nets, Jay-Z made it clear that he’s support on whatever team is representing his city.
Jay-Z, Knicks or Nets?
“Both. New York City.” pic.twitter.com/YYqXTKmpRj
— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) August 17, 2024
The Knicks are going to contend for an NBA Championship next season, especially after acquiring Mikal Bridges from their rival Nets. They could’ve made the Conference Finals easily if they stayed healthy throughout the Playoffs last season but couldn’t get to the finish line.
The trade for Bridges between the Nets and the Knicks was only the sixth time the two franchises have been able to come to a deal, with the last one being almost four decades ago. It solidified that the Nets are committing to rebuilding for the 2025 NBA Draft, with the Rockets sending future Rockets picks to the Nets
The Knicks paid such a steep fee to acquire Bridges because they think he’d be the perfect role-player next to a person like Jalen Brunson. With Julius Randle also requiring a high-usage style of play on offense, Bridges is the perfect multi-positional player you could rely upon in the league.
Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in a down year on a tanking Nets squad before they let him free to join the Knicks as part of a major summer trade.
Mikal Bridges Never Demanded A Trade
We’re not dissecting who Jay-Z will ultimately cheer for more this season, as the Nets and Knicks have complete opposite directions on the court. The Knicks are hoping to emerge as certified championship threats while the Nets would be content with finishing 15th in the Conference to maximize their chances at the Draft for next season.
Rumors were swirling about Bridges wanting to be traded from the Nets, but those were quashed by Nets GM Sean Marks himself.
“I think it’s been reported that Mikal wanted to leave or requested a trade. That could not be further from the truth. I think that’s just not in Mikal’s character, it’s not who he is and that definitely did not happen. He was told by me when I called him up and let him know that we’re at the two-yard line.”
“An offer like this from a team, we’re not going to turn that down… I believe that this was the best pathway for us to go down right now, instead of waiting, and we could have kept waiting. I mean, there’s no shortage of people who want to play with Mikal and the like because he’s a heck of a talent out there. And we’ll miss him.”
It was clear last season that Bridges was getting stuck on a middle-of-the-pack franchise. The Nets didn’t make the Playoffs while everyone could see why Mikal as a No. 1 option isn’t the best for contending success. However, Bridges in a role around other stars is a goldmine, and that’s what he’s got this season.
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