The NBA offseason has just begun, and the New York Knicks wasted no time making a move that would place the league in shock. It was announced on Tuesday that they have acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. This was a move that nobody saw coming, but the Knicks have pulled it off. Bridges will now be reunited with his former college teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. With this deal, New York is in a great position to make a deeper run for the upcoming season.
Trade Haul
BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets have agreed in principle on a trade to send F Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/TEGsIpoa3b
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
The deal would undoubtedly come with a price. To acquire a talented player like Bridges, New York would give up a significant haul. The Knicks will send the Nets unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031, along with a protected 2025 pick from the Milwaukee Bucks. New York would also send Bojan Bogdanovic to match the salary to further sweeten the deal. This trade is beneficial for the Nets as well. By acquiring multiple draft picks, they can bolster their rebuilding efforts and set themselves up for future success.
Trade Implications
Acquiring Bridges does have implications for some of the pending free agents for the Knicks. Their payroll is now under strain due to this blockbuster deal, pushing them up against the hard cap by taking on more salary than they sent out. This makes it extremely challenging to re-sign key players like OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein, both of whom are coming off strong seasons. To create room for potential re-signings, a tough decision may be necessary: moving on from Mitchell Robinson, who struggled during the last season.
What Mikal Bridges Brings To The Team
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The NYK traded 6 FRPs for Mikal Bridges, but which version of Bridges are they getting? Today I will break down Bridges' most additive skills and explain why I think, in order to maximize his impact on this team, the Knicks actually want Bridges to profile like his 2021 self. pic.twitter.com/iFKr4yg1GC
— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) July 1, 2024
Indeed, Mikal Bridges is a lethal shooter that brings consistency with him. He’s going to drain some three-pointers for a Knicks team that has a decent amount of shooters in their depth. Last season in Brooklyn, Bridges shot 37.2% from the three-point line. Despite that, he did have some solid shooting numbers, and he finished this season with a 43.6% field goal percentage. In addition, Bridges is also a gritty, two-way wing player that fits perfectly well with the Knicks culture that features Jalen Brunson.
It’s only going to get better for this team. Depending on what happens to OG Anunoby in free agency, New York may have a legitimate shot at the Boston Celtics. If New York does miss out on Anunoby, they have other options that can improve their team. Other than that, this is a great start for the Knicks, who are most motivated to improve this offseason. By addressing key areas and strategically building its roster, New York is positioning themselves for a promising future.
Grading The Deal
It seems like this deal is a win-win for both sides. New York received a decent player who brings both consistent shooting and defensive skills to the floor. It will make it even easier for Jalen Brunson, who doesn’t need to worry about carrying the team on a daily basis. As for Brooklyn, they just got even better. With the acquisition of multiple draft capital, the team is now in a good position to prepare themselves for a better future run. These picks may also help them land a superstar if they wanted to as well.
The verdict says: A-
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