According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the New York Knicks made a surprising move by trading five picks to acquire star forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. The agreement is a major victory for the Knicks, as they have been interested in Bridges for a long time because of his ties to Villanova, where many current Knicks players also attended.
The Nets will receive four first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031 without protection, along with a protected 2025 first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks and an unprotected 2028 first-round pick swap in the trade package. The Knicks traded Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets in order to balance salaries.
In a separate trade, the Nets exchanged their 2026 first-round pick with the Houston Rockets for a 2027 first-round swap from the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets also gained the ability to exchange their 2025 first-round draft selection with either Brooklyn’s or Oklahoma City’s, providing them with valuable options for upcoming trades.
Knicks Land Mikal Bridges in Blockbuster Trade with Netshttps://t.co/vcU94kvhED
— Buzz Blog (@buzzblog4) June 26, 2024
The trade signifies a significant change in the Eastern Conference’s power dynamics, as the Knicks are poised to rival the Boston Celtics as a strong competitor. Adding Bridges, who has become a standout defender and shooter, reunites all of Villanova’s former stars like Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart on the Knicks team.
The agreement has also paved the way for a possible face-off between the Knicks and Celtics in the postseason next year. Keeping Julius Randle on the roster and potentially bringing back OG Anunoby, the Knicks are now seen as top contenders for the 2025 championship.
Nevertheless, the Knicks have encountered certain payroll problems as a result of the trade, leaving them hard-capped at $178.7 million. This might create challenges in retaining free agents such as Hartenstein and Anunoby. However, by creatively managing their roster, the Knicks could potentially retain their essential players and continue to be competitive.
The Nets have begun one of the most significant rebuilds in NBA history by acquiring many valuable assets. After years of having no say in their own draft selections, they now have a two-year opportunity to reconstruct their roster with picks acquired from Houston and Phoenix. With selections from Dallas and Philadelphia in their collection as well, the Nets are positioned to make a significant impact in upcoming drafts.
As expected, Bridges was excited about his new circumstances. “He tweeted late Tuesday night after news of the trade broke, saying, “This is insane lol.”
The inclusion of Bridges on the Knicks lineup has important consequences for both teams. At the moment, it seems that New York is prepared to establish itself as a significant team in the Eastern Conference, while Brooklyn is starting a new phase of reconstruction. It remains to be seen how these trades will pan out in the future.