Please get Mikal Bridges in a Knicks uniform
— John Grimaldi (@_JohnGrimaldi) March 2, 2023
Knicks trade for disgruntled Mikal Bridges and then hire Jay Wright to complete the Villanova infinity gauntlet https://t.co/Rh3GvJz2jA pic.twitter.com/fDaSS3DelR
— John Grimaldi (@_JohnGrimaldi) December 28, 2023
You like what you see my guy? @mikal_bridges https://t.co/PonjK1LNVu
— John Grimaldi (@_JohnGrimaldi) February 9, 2023
The Knicks go deeper into the Villanova national championship roster — bringing Mikal Bridges to join his old teammates and close friends Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVencenzo. pic.twitter.com/G544CT02zI
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
It feels good to get what you want!
As indicated by the attached Tweets (yes Tweets, it’s not X), I have been clamoring for the Knicks to go get Mikal Bridges for well over a year. It wasn’t really a feasible thing for the Knicks to do until this Summer, but nonetheless my prayers have been answered, and the Nova Knicks are now complete. I also want to add that I do not want Jay Wright as the coach like I said in that one tweet. Tom Thibodeau is the coach of this team, and I am happy about it.
Trade Impact for NY
So what does this mean for the New York Knicks? Off the bat it immediately bolsters chemistry and further strengthens that tight-knit core the Knicks displayed all throughout this past season. Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo won a championship(s) together in college, they play hard, they play both sides of the ball, they are unselfish, and maybe an underrated aspect of it all: they have fun playing together.
Every time the Nets played the Knicks, Brooklyn fans were not happy at how Bridges would interact postgame with his former Villanova teammates. He very openly displayed a desire to reunite in NY with his friends, and he got what he wanted; with Bridges’ camp even going as far as to tell the Brooklyn front office to not bother trading him anywhere else, because they were prepared to walk and sign with the Knicks anyway.
Nets surely didn’t want to trade Mikal Bridges to NYK but Bridges’ side was prepared to force the issue by telling teams he wanted to be w/NYK, per SNY sources. Bridges’ side made it clear to BKN that he wanted to be w/NYK, reunite w/Villanova teammates Brunson, Hart, DiVincenzo
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2024
Trade Impact for Brooklyn
The Knicks did give up a lot of picks, four unprotected first round picks, a protected first round pick via the Bucks, and an unprotected first round pick swap. Six total first round picks heading to Brooklyn, plus returning Brooklyn’s 2025 second round pick and Bojan Bogdanovic, jump starting their rebuild after the end of the Durant-Kyrie failure. A smart move by the Nets to not stall and wait around, this is exactly what they needed.
The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Next Move For the Knicks
OG Anunoby is the absolute top priority for the New York Knicks. With OG on board, along with the Bridges trade, the Knicks have constructed a roster that can go toe-to-toe with any team in the league. More specifically, they have two wings that can match up with the newly minted NBA champion Boston Celtics’ duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Unfortunaltey, according to several sources like Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley, it looks increasingly unlikely the Knicks will be able to retain Isaiah Hartenstein, which would certainly be a blow to this team and the fanbase. Hartenstein had a terrific postseason, and deserves a bag. If a team in need of a big man comes over the top with a significant offer, it will prove difficult for the Knicks to match.
Regardless, this is a happy day, a happy week, and if the Knicks finish with signing OG Anunoby, it will be a happy offseason. The potential is there, and if everyone stays healthy, there is no reason the Knicks can’t reach the Eastern Conference or NBA Finals.
Leave A Comment