Mikal Bridges is going to be a New York Knick, as the franchise sent a total of six first-round picks and Bojan Bogdanovic to acquire the services of the former DPOY finalist. Bridges has been linked with the Knicks for a while due to his college teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo being with the franchise. According to Ian Begley, Mikal demanded a trade to the Knicks.
“The Mikal Bridges deal came together quickly after Bridges informed the Nets that he wanted to be a Knick. Bridges was prepared to sign with NYK and his side was prepared to use that leverage to keep other teams from trading for him, per SNY sources.”
Bridges is scheduled to hit free agency in 2026. The Nets have held onto Bridges hard over the last year-and-a-half, reportedly turning down massive offers for the swingman from teams like the Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Rockets. Nonetheless, they got an incredible draft pick haul from the Knicks in this deal despite Bridges demanding a trade to the Knicks.
The Knicks could have held on till next season and acquire Bridges when the Nets were under more pressure, but this is a move they needed to make. Bridges was being pursued by other rivals as well, so they sent an offer that was unbeatable to make sure they landed their guy.
Mikal averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season. He will transform the Knicks into genuine contenders, as he can thrive in a secondary or tertiary offensive role behind Brunson and Julius Randle while becoming the team’s best perimeter defender.
The Villanova Knicks Feel Complete
This deal finally brings together the four stars of the 2018 Villanova Wildcats’ NCAA Championship-winning team. Jalen Brunson was the leader of that team then and will reprise that role on the court in New York after averaging 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season, being named to an All-NBA team.
Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo both had breakout seasons in the Knicks’ 50-win season last year. Hart averaged 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, making history for his durability and playing full games without a rest. DiVincenzo emerged as one of the best shooters in the NBA, averaging 15.5 points while shooting 40.1% from three on 8.1 attempts per game.
Bridges was the remaining piece from prominent players of that championship team still in the NBA. Ryan Arcidiacono was on the Knicks but is currently without an NBA team, and could be a minimum signing for the franchise to further boost camaraderie.
Given this group’s championship experience together, they’ll like their chances of competing among the best teams in the NBA. The Knicks still have to bring back free agents OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein, which will determine whether they are contenders.
If everyone comes back and the Knicks head into next year with an eight-man rotation of Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Randle, Hartenstein, DiVincenzo, Miles McBride, and Isaiah Hartenstein, they will be feared given their success with worse quality players in the last few seasons.
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