The New York Knicks are one team that a lot of people are keeping an eye on heading into the 2024 NBA Offseason. Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges has been mentioned as a potential trade target, should they shake things up.
But, before that, they have some major decisions to make when it comes to their roster, as several key players from this season’s team are hitting free agency. One of those players is expected to be forward OG Anunoby.
Anunoby has a player option for the 2024-25 season that most people believe he will decline. That will make him an unrestricted free agent, putting him in a position to secure a massive long-term deal.
How negotiations go with him will have a major impact on the rest of the Knicks’ offseason. Mikal Bridges is certainly someone who could come into play should Anunoby not be re-signed this offseason.
It is easy to connect the dots. Bridges played collegiately at Villanova alongside current Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. Reuniting again in the NBA should yield incredible results, as that trio has helped rejuvenate the franchise.
However, an aggressive pursuit of Bridges isn’t expected. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the only way the Knicks will have any interest is if they lose Anunoby. Fischer isn’t expecting that to happen, as their draft capital will be saved for a Giannis Antetokounmpo-level player.
“In some scenario where like OG is no longer part of NY, but I am NOT expecting that. That’s the only scenario I think it could happen,” Fischer said, via the Bad Weather Fans podcast.
While many fans would love to acquire Mikal Bridges and add another Villanova alum, his fit would be an awkward one if Anunoby is brought back. Many people have pitched trading Julius Randle for him, but that would be a major downgrade for the Knicks.
Bridges is a solid player, but trading away a multi-time All-Star and All-NBA power forward for him would be a disastrous decision. The Knicks would be better off running it back and hoping for better luck in the health department as they were the best team in the NBA for the month Anunboy and Randle were in the lineup together.
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