Jay-Z Gets Honest On Picking Between The New York Knicks And Brooklyn Nets

Jay-Z hasn't turned his back on the Brooklyn Nets but openly admitted to rooting for both New York basketball teams next season.

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Credit: Fadeaway World

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.

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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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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