The New York Knicks have made a significant trade, acquiring star forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a substantial package of future draft picks. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks will send the Nets unprotected first-round picks for 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031, a protected 2025 first-round pick from the Bucks, an unprotected 2028 first-round swap, and a 2025 second-round pick. Bojan Bogdanovic is also included to match salaries.
In a secondary transaction related to this trade, the Nets will receive their 2026 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a 2027 first-round swap originally owned by the Phoenix Suns. Additionally, the Rockets secured the right to swap their 2025 first-round pick, which could be their own or Oklahoma City’s, with Phoenix’s. This allows the Nets to retain control over their picks for the next two years. The Rockets aim to use these Suns picks to trade for Kevin Durant, though Phoenix has resisted this so far.
Bridges joins the Knicks, completing a roster featuring former Villanova stars Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart. Bridges, known for his elite defense and shooting, has recently improved his shot-creating abilities. With Julius Randle and the potential re-signing of OG Anunoby, the Knicks are poised to be championship contenders for 2025. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, re-signing Anunoby remains a top priority for the Knicks.
The deal came together swiftly after Mikal Bridges expressed his desire to join the Knicks, leveraging his stance to dissuade other teams from pursuing him. Bridges’ connection to Villanova made him a long-standing target for the Knicks, and his addition is seen as a significant boost to the team’s prospects.
However, this trade introduces payroll complications for the Knicks. Taking on more salary in the deal, the Knicks are now hard-capped at the first apron, projected at $178.7 million. This financial constraint may hinder their ability to re-sign Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein. Although there is potential to save money by trading Mitchell Robinson, it remains “increasingly unlikely” that the Knicks can re-sign Hartenstein, who is expected to attract substantial offers on the open market due to his Early Bird Rights limitation.
For the Nets, this trade marks the beginning of an asset-rich rebuild. After years without control over their own picks, the Nets now have a two-year window to build their roster using the draft picks acquired from the Knicks and the Houston deal. They also have additional picks from the Suns, Dallas, and Philadelphia, making their draft portfolio one of the deepest in the league.
The primary narrative is the Knicks’ bold move to unite Villanova’s stars and position themselves as key competitors to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. Injuries hampered the Knicks’ playoff run, but with their revamped roster, they and the Celtics are projected to be the top Eastern Conference teams next season.
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