Nets News: Mikal Bridges Sacrifice Could Undo 1 Major Error in James Harden Era as Rockets Offer Redemption

The Brooklyn Nets finally see a ray of hope from the deep, dark tunnel. Heading into the 2024 NBA draft, the Nets emerged as the most unfortunate side in the league. Despite not even making it to the Play-in tournament, the team doesn’t have a single pick in the draft. And, it’s the punishment for the team’s ludicrous aim to form a super team involving James Harden. Nevertheless, with only hours remaining for the draft, the Nets may get their redemption by sacrificing their star forward, Mikal Bridges.

In 2021, the Brooklyn side roped in James Harden from the Houston Rockets to form a super team alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. And it cost them a lot of first-round picks. While it seemed worth it in the beginning, it turned into a major error when the Beard didn’t last for one entire season. Eventually, the other stars also left the franchise. Now, the team lost both its first-round picks and stars.

Interestingly, they lost the 2024 first-round pick to the Rockets for the Harden trade and the H-Town won the 3rd pick in the draft lottery, rubbing salt to the injury. However, the latest trade update provided a chance for the Nets to get redemption. According to Jake Fischer, the Rockets, Utah Jazz, and the NY Knicks are actively looking to rope in Mikal Bridges.

If the Rockets manage to trade in Mikal Bridges, the Nets could receive a star player in return, or maybe a draft pick, if they fast-track the trade. If not for the H-Town trade, the other two teams could also fetch the Brooklyn team with the necessary assets. On the other hand, Bridges has an opportunity to reunite with his three college teammates if the Knicks seal the deal. The bottom line is the Nets can make a fortune at the cost of Bridges.

Will the Nets have a championship run in the 2024-25 season?

It’s too early to form an opinion on the Nets’ championship run. However, looking at the roster, the team doesn’t look like winning a ring. After the exit of Kai and KD, the team fell into a deep tunnel. The team doesn’t have a reliable star to help the side. Ben Simmons, who came in for James Harden, turned out to be an utter failure. He barely managed to stay healthy on the court.

On top of it, the team dismissed their coach, Jacque Vaughn, and hired the Kings’ assistant, Jordi Fernández. Without any superstar and draft picks coming into the side this off-season, the team doesn’t look like winning the title. However, the team can make a run in the 2025-26 season. Ian Begley stated that the Nets would have an “opportunity to obtain top talent” in the 2025 off-season.

Apart from a first-round pick, the team will have the cap space to look for superstars in the following season. Importantly, Cam Thomas, who played his third year, and averaged 22.5 points, will develop into a front-line offense star. Nevertheless, the upcoming Mikal Bridges trade may even change the fate of the Nets in the 2024-25 season. Only time will tell.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.