The New York Knicks pulled off a blockbuster trade last night, acquiring Mikal Bridges for Bojan Bogdanovic and an entire roster worth of picks.
Mikal Bridges, previously a Forward for the Brooklyn Nets, will officially cross the East River to join the Knicks’ 2024-25 campaign. He is coming off a season where he played (and started) all 82 games. Knicks fans love to see that after their team was plagued by injuries during the playoffs last season.
And despite the Nets disappointing 32-50 season, Bridges put up some pretty respectable numbers. He averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists , and 1.0 steals on 34.8 minutes.
But Bridges won’t join the Knicks without a considerable price tag. The Knicks are sending an army of picks to the Nets, effectively signaling a win-now mentality.
Knicks Receive
Mikal Bridges
2026 2nd-round pick
Nets Receive
Bojan Bogdanovic
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
Dubbed the “Villanova Knicks,” the team is adding to a tightknit squad building on nearly a decade of chemistry with the addition. Bridges will become the fourth player from the 2016 Villanova Wildcat NCAA Championship team to join the Knicks. And the other Nova Knicks seem excited by the acquisition.
Meanwhile, Knicks fans will have to stress over the loss of five future first round picks. The fan base has been waiting a very long time to see their team rise back to prominence, with the Knicks’ last championship win in 1973 and their last conference title in 1999. But sacrificing so many future picks means they will be unlikely to acquire top young talent for several years.
Nevertheless, the word on the street is the Knicks have officially become title contenders. And if they are able to resign OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein, and stay healthy, this Knicks roster will be tough to beat.
I like the move, the Knicks have a terrible history with the draft and Bridges helps them right away. No way they keep OG and Hartenstein in my opinion…too much money for Jimmy D to spend.