Former Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges has been traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This move will see Bridges reunite with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo on the Knicks.
According to Wojnarowski, the Knicks are sending a substantial package to the Nets in exchange for Bridges. This includes four unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031), a protected Milwaukee first-round pick in 2025, an unprotected pick swap in 2028, and a second-round pick in 2025. In return, the Knicks will receive Bridges and a 2026 second-round pick.
The Knicks are sending four unprotected picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031) a 2025 protected Milwaukee first, a 2028 unprotected pick swap and a 2025 second-round pick for Mikal Bridges and a 2026 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/E4pTq3wCMP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Bridges reacted to the news on Twitter, expressing his surprise with a tweet that read, “This is crazy lol.”
This is crazy lol
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) June 26, 2024
Bridges joined the Nets in February 2023 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns. During his time in Brooklyn, he played for 1.5 seasons. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Bridges had expressed a desire to be traded to the Knicks.
The Mikal Bridges deal came together quickly after Bridges informed the Nets that he wanted to be a Knick. Bridges was prepared to sign with NYK and his side was prepared to use that leverage to keep other teams from trading for him, per SNY sources.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2024
As Bridges prepares to enter his seventh season in the NBA next year, his impressive durability remains noteworthy, as he has never missed an NBA game. Last season, he averaged 19.6 points and 4.5 rebounds for Brooklyn.
Bridges has 2 years left on contract (starting in 2024-25):
$23.3M and $24.9M
He is eligible to sign a 2 year extension on October 1.
He can extend for an additional 3 years/$113M in 6 months.
New York will now hard capped at the first apron. https://t.co/NcB1IODOUR
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 26, 2024
The trade brings a significant change for Bridges, moving him from Brooklyn to New York and reuniting him with his college teammates. It appears unlikely that Bridges will return to Phoenix anytime soon, but he is set to embark on a new chapter with the Knicks, where he looks forward to playing alongside familiar faces from his Villanova days.
