The Brooklyn Nets are adamant about not trading Mikal Bridges. The Memphis Grizzlies quickly presented four first-round picks once the Nets got him.Brooklyn said no. The Rockets offered them their own picks back from the 2021 James Harden trade. Brooklyn said no. At virtually every opportunity, the Nets have painstakingly leaked to reporters that Bridges is not on the table.
Yet, a new Bridges rumor or trade idea seems to pop up every week or two. Half of the league wants him, and no matter how many times the Nets tell the world he’s not available, nobody seems to believe them. So what’s happening here? Why can’t Bridges escape the rumor mill? Is he truly available? What teams might have enough to pry him away from the Nets this offseason?
What is the reason for him being involved in trade rumors?
Due to the fact that the Nets are in a state of limbo. It’s as easy as that. The Nets did not have the necessary skills to effectively compete for a Play-In spot last season. There is no evidence to suggest that the current lineup will improve in the upcoming season. However, since the Nets don’t have any control over their own first-round picks until 2027, they have little motivation to perform poorly. They must choose between committing to a complete overhaul or attempting to become competitive. The former appears more likely than the latter.
At one point, many people in the league believed that Donovan Mitchell would leave Cleveland against his will. That was how Brooklyn rose from the bottom. Mitchell hails from New York. In 2025, the Nets may be able to negotiate a favorable deal for Mitchell due to their significant cap space. However, if Mitchell remains where he is, there are no other already successful stars from New York who would be interested in joining the Nets.
Bridges has a skill set that fits practically any team. He’s a high-end 3-and-D wing that brings meaningful secondary shot-creation. More than that, he has a contract that fits any team. He’s owed only $48.2 million over the next two seasons combined. The closer that contract gets to expiring, the less value Bridges has in a trade. The moment to move him for maximum value is now.
Why the Nets Would Keep Him
Because if the Nets do manage to find a star, whoever it is, that player will enhance Bridges. The Nets may not currently have a player capable of being the best on a good team, but Bridges certainly fits the bill as a No. 2. Finding the top guy is obviously the hardest part, but sidekicks don’t exactly grow on trees, either. The Nets are betting that their abundance of future draft picks from other teams (most notably, the Suns) can be parlayed into the sort of player that would turn Bridges into a supercharged secondary option, and that together, they could form the backbone of a winner.
Is there another player like that out there if Mitchell stays put? Well, it’s hard to say. Players like Mikal Bridges Brandon Ingram, and Karl-Anthony Towns that have populated the rumor mill don’t exactly hit that level, but NBA offseasons are unpredictable. Someone unexpected is suddenly unhappy. Some team with a hefty tax bill decides to save money. The names we’re covering now are not necessarily the only ones that will become available. The Nets are betting that someone we don’t expect hits the market.
And then there are the optics. Retaining Bridges at least maintains the illusion that this team is trying to win right now. Giving him away kicks off a multi-year rebuild that would mean admitting defeat fully on the promise of the Kevin Durant era that came before this one. This is, of course, not an intelligent way to run a franchise, but there are real people with jobs on the line here. Would the front office that failed to win it all with Durant feel confident that it could survive another lengthy reset? That matters here.
Mikal Bridges trade rumors: Why Nets are hesitant to move their star and what landing spots would make sense
— Sports Schedule (@schedulesportz) June 23, 2024
Potential Destinations for Bridges
Bridges fits anywhere. Basically, anyone can absorb his salary. Basically, everyone needs another wing. That means that our fits are going to be the teams with assets that appeal to Brooklyn, specifically. That’s going to mean high-upside young players and draft picks. Here are three possibilities.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are by far the best trade partner for Brooklyn because they control the next four Nets first-round picks, including No. 3 in this year’s draft. The Rockets tried to trade the Nets their picks back for Bridges in February and were rebuffed. Now that this year’s pick has jumped into the top three, it looks even more enticing. A Bridges-to-Houston trade is Brooklyn’s only real path towards the tank it so desperately needs. In Bridges, Houston would get a premium role player to put around its array of young players. The Rockets want to win now, and Bridges fits the defensive identity head coach Ime Udoka wants to build.
New York Knicks
Come on, this is the one the whole basketball world wants, right? Let the Villanova quartet of Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges reunite! The Knicks have all of their own picks plus several from other teams to dangle in a trade here, plus plenty of win-now players the Nets could conceivably flip elsewhere. Sadly, the Knicks and Nets haven’t made a trade since 1983. Clearly, there’s a rivalry here that the front offices have yet to breach, so for now, this one probably won’t happen.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz aren’t too dissimilar to the Nets. Both are non-playoff teams that could opt for the tanking route, but Utah controls its own picks, and the Jazz have reportedly sniffed around win-now upgrades lately (such as Jrue Holiday last offseason). If Utah does want to win now, it could offer Brooklyn a diversified package of draft picks from the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and themselves. More pertinently for Bridges, the Jazz have so little money committed over the next few years that they could conceivably renegotiate-and-extend Bridges before he becomes a free agent in 2026, allowing him to get paid fairly early instead of waiting out his current, below-market deal.
The Latest Reporting
The Athletic’s Fred Katz is the most recent reporter to indicate that the Nets have given “expressed zero interest” in trading Bridges this offseason. Every team known to have tried to get him, most notably the Grizzlies and Rockets, has been rebuffed. There is no firmly reported reason to believe that the Nets will trade Bridges. We’re operating with common sense here. The Nets should trade Bridges. But based on the information we now have, it seems they probably won’t.
Bridges’ Value and Potential Impact
Mikal Bridges’ value goes beyond his statistics. His presence on any team instantly boosts their defensive and offensive capabilities. A high-end 3-and-D wing, Bridges can defend multiple positions and knock down crucial shots from beyond the arc. His secondary shot-creation ability adds another dimension to his game, making him a highly coveted player in today’s NBA.
His contract, which pays him $48.2 million over the next two seasons, is highly team-friendly. As the NBA salary cap continues to rise, his deal becomes even more valuable. Teams looking to add a player of Bridges’ caliber without sacrificing their financial flexibility see him as an ideal target.
Why Teams Want Bridges
- Versatility: Bridges can play and guard multiple positions, making him a perfect fit for any team looking to bolster its defense and wing depth.
- Contract: His affordable contract makes him a valuable asset for teams needing to balance their books while adding significant talent.
- Winning Mentality: Bridges has been part of winning environments, most notably with the Phoenix Suns, where he played a key role in their run to the 2021 NBA Finals.
The Nets’ Dilemma
Brooklyn’s hesitation to trade Bridges stems from their current roster situation and future prospects. They are in a transition phase, trying to balance between competing now and rebuilding for the future. Bridges is seen as a cornerstone who can contribute to both timelines. His ability to complement a star player, should the Nets acquire one, makes him even more valuable.
The Nets’ abundance of future draft picks from other teams allows them the flexibility to potentially trade for a star player who can elevate Bridges’ game. This potential scenario keeps the Nets from pulling the trigger on a Bridges trade unless they receive an offer too good to pass up.
Fan and Media Speculation
Despite the Nets’ public stance on not trading Bridges, the constant trade rumors reflect the high demand for his services across the league. Fans and media continue to speculate about potential deals, largely because Bridges fits seamlessly into any team’s structure and needs.
Possible Future Scenarios
- Trade for a Star: The Nets could package their draft picks and assets to acquire a star player, making Bridges the secondary option and forming a formidable duo.
- Retain and Build: Brooklyn could continue to develop its current roster, keeping Bridges as a central piece while using their picks to draft and develop young talent.
- Unexpected Opportunities: The unpredictable nature of NBA offseasons means that new opportunities could arise, forcing the Nets to reconsider their stance on Bridges.