Brooklyn Bridges completes ‘Nova Knicks’
Nova Knicks! The New York Knicks have made a significant move, acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, they've sent Bojan Bogdanovic and a whopping five 1st-round draft picks to the Nets. This deal marks the first trade between the New York rivals in nearly four decades since the then-New Jersey Nets agreed to a deal involving Len Elmore and a second-round pick in 1983.
The complete trade is as follows: Knicks receive Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, a 2026 2nd-round pick, and Draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet. Nets receive: Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite, Shake Milton, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2025, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2027, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2029, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2031, unprotected pick swap in 2028, top-four protected 2025 1st-round pick via Bucks, 2nd round pick in 2025.
The 2024-2025 New York Knicks roster will now feature four players from the 2016 Villanova championship team, three of whom(Brusonson, Bridges, and DiVincenzo) were also on the 2018 Villanova championship team.
After a mid-season trade involving Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in February 2023, Bridges averaged 26.1 points per game for the Nets and helped them surge late, making the playoffs as a 6-seed. In his first full season with the team, Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game on 43.6% shooting, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 2023-24, but the Nets regressed, finishing 32-50 and missed the playoffs. In 109 games for the Nets, Mikal Bridges averaged 21.2 points on 44.7% shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Before the arrival of Bridges, the Knicks were already a formidable force. Despite a heartbreaking elimination in the second round by the Indiana Pacers after a grueling Game 7, the team, despite injuries, fought with all their might. This team truly embodies the spirit of New York, finishing the regular season as the #2 seed in the east, a feat that surprised many. Adding Mikal Bridges is a clear sign of the Knicks' resilience and determination and the positive change in mindset from management down. The Knicks were just one game away from their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000 despite losing several key players to injuries before and during the playoffs. With Bridges on board, the Knicks are poised for even greater success.
In 2022, Bridges was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year and is the NBA’s Iron Man. He has played in all 474 games in his career and never missed a game in his four-year college career. He also led the NBA in minutes played in 2021-22 and 2022-23. This defensive stalwart and durable player is a perfect fit for the New York Knicks, especially under the coaching of Tom Thibodeau, who is known for his rigorous playing style.
Last month, in early June, Mikal Bridges commented, “Come to the Nets?” under an Instagram photo of Josh Hart cohosting the ESPN NBA Finals coverage captioned, “Might quit my day job.” To that, Hart responded, “@mikalbridges, are you okay? If they have you hostage, just blink, and we’ll save you.” Funny enough, Mikal is now a Knick.
Can the New York Knicks recreate the championship magic from the 2016 and 2018 Villanova Wildcats? Is this move enough to put the Knicks ahead of the reigning champion Boston Celtics? Comment your thoughts below!