Everyone has been waiting for the New York Knicks to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade. Leon Rose has been patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. On Tuesday night, he found that moment, acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets.
It was not cheap, as the New York Knicks traded away a large chunk of their built-up draft capital. Heading to Brooklyn are unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031. A Milwaukee Bucks-protected first-round pick in 2025 and an unprotected pick swap in 2028 are included.
The Nets are also getting a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft which was their original selection. And finally, the teams swapped second-round picks in the future as well.
Some people will argue that was too steep of a price for the New York Knicks to be paying. But, the Nets had a lot of leverage in trade talks knowing that is where Mikal Bridges wanted to be. Also, if things pan out, those picks aren’t going to be game-changers.
Ideally, New York will be contending for years to come as they don’t have a single player currently on the roster who is 30; Julius Randle, who turns 30 in November, is the closest. Trading picks seven years down the line is risky, but a worthwhile one for the franchise to take.
All reports indicate that the team is going to everything in their power to re-sign OG Anunoby, which has been the case since he was acquired right around the New Year. If that gets completed, the New York Knicks are bonafide contenders.
To have any chance of beating the Boston Celtics, you need elite wing players. The New York Knicks will have two with Anunboy and Mikal Bridges. Off the bench, Josh Hart is as good as it gets for a second unit.
Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Randle being the supporting cast for Jalen Brunson offensively is going to give teams headaches defensively. Defensively, good luck scoring on that duo on the perimeter with potentially Mitchell Robinson as the last line of defense.
The only negative drawback to acquiring Mikal Bridges is the impact it has on Isaiah Hartenstein. According to some reports, unless he is willing to take a discount, as offers for him are going to be very high, Hartenstein could leave town.
Losing Hartenstein will hurt, but replacing him is easier than finding a player of Mikal Bridges’ caliber. It was costly, but this is a move other teams around the NBA would have made if the Knicks hadn’t beaten them to the punch.
The chemistry for this team is going to be off the charts with four players from Villanova championship teams. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is the perfect leader for this group who will have legitimate championship aspirations if the rest of the offseason unfolds as predicted.
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