- This trade would send Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett
- The Knicks take a gamble on Mikal Bridges’ upside as a star
- The Nets trade their veteran wing while his value is high
The New York Knicks had a solid season this year, making the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference and getting to the second round. However, it is clear that the team needs an extra piece or two to take the next step toward being a championship-level team. The key is simply adding more talent to the roster.
Perhaps a wing player they could end up targeting is forward Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets. Bridges is a solid veteran wing, who has shown the ability to space the floor, create his own shot, and play defense. He fits the profile of what the team needs. Here is a potential trade framework.
New York Knicks Receive: Mikal Bridges
Brooklyn Nets Receive: RJ Barrett, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2024 First-Round Pick (DAL via NYK)
This trade would be a win-now trade for the New York Knicks, albeit one that doesn’t require them to throw away a lot of assets. They would still have tradeable first-round picks and would be able to move for a superstar once one becomes available. Mikal Bridges, however, would clearly help them be a better team in the now. Here is our breakdown of why this trade needs to go down between the two teams.
Mikal Bridges Is A Good Fit With Jalen Brunson And Julius Randle And Also Has Star Potential
Though he was traditionally viewed as a role player on the Phoenix Suns, ever since getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets, Mikal Bridges has become a No. 1 option. Since the trade, Bridges has averaged 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 27 games, while shooting 37.6% from the 3PT range. It is clear that Bridges has the potential to be an All-Star wing, though obviously, we need him to show that he can replicate that level of play over the course of an entire regular season. Still, Bridges has shown enough for the New York Knicks to gamble on trading for him.
There is no doubt that the New York Knicks lacked a consistent offensive player outside of Jalen Brunson in the playoffs, and that is what ultimately doomed them against the Miami Heat. Mikal Bridges would help with that issue, and as of right now, he is a better offensive player than RJ Barrett. His ability to play off-ball is extremely valuable when playing with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, and adding another top-tier scoring threat could end up making life easier for the team’s stars. The New York Knicks managed to get to the second round without an elite wing like Bridges: with him, they can be a legitimate force in the Eastern Conference.
Though giving up RJ Barrett would definitely be tough for the team, Mikal Bridges is the sort of player that is worth trading for. Barrett might still have the potential, but based on the team’s construction, the goal should be to win immediately rather than wait on his development. Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle are in their prime and are the two clear best players on the team. Helping them try and win a championship at a low cost is a good move for the New York Knicks, and that is exactly what the team does by trading for Mikal Bridges.
The Brooklyn Nets Get A Solid Package For One Of Their Veterans
Though Mikal Bridges definitely played well after getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets, the concern from the Nets’ perspective is obviously about whether he can keep up that level of play. We have seen many players go on insane stretches, only to falter when asked to play that way consistently. It is also unclear if Mikal Bridges can actually be a No. 1 option on a winning team, as the team only had a 12-15 record with him at the helm. Perhaps the best option would be to trade him and try to build to compete in the future.
RJ Barrett is obviously the centerpiece of this deal, and he is an athletic wing that has already shown two-way potential. Last season, Barrett averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, although he was inefficient, only shooting 43.4% from the field and 31.0% from the 3PT range. He could potentially blossom if given the keys to a team, and perhaps that team can be the Brooklyn Nets. They have the time to wait for him to develop, and become the star that people think he can be.
On top of getting RJ Barrett in this deal, the Brooklyn Nets would also get two first-round picks in this scenario. This reflects the current difference in ability between RJ Barrett and Mikal Bridges, and those first-round picks could allow the Nets to draft more young prospects that they can develop. The team has had a good record drafting under Sean Marks, and they could get the most from those picks.
This deal for the Brooklyn Nets would be about trying to trade Mikal Bridges at the peak of his value and getting a solid trade package back. RJ Barrett could be a foundational piece for the team going forward, and he would have all the opportunity to develop into the best version of himself.
The New York Knicks Would Become A Better Team In The Eastern Conference
If Mikal Bridges can be a consistently efficient scorer, then the New York Knicks will become a force in the Eastern Conference. They have already shown that they can defeat a talented team like the Cleveland Cavaliers in their current form, and with Bridges, they would get much better on both ends of the floor.
Of course, the risk is Mikal Bridges not being able to play at a star level for the whole season. However, even in that case, Mikal Bridges can slot in nicely as a No. 3 option behind Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, and simply play off of their gravity. He has a skill set that meshes well with other stars, and his 3PT shooting and defense ensure that Bridges will always have value on the court.
We will see whether a trade with this framework happens at some point in the future. The New York Knicks have nothing to lose by making this deal, as they have enough young players and don’t need more prospects. Now is the time to make a consolidation trade, and hopefully, they consider trading for Mikal Bridges.
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