Kendrick Perkins, Gilbert Arenas, and More Go Wild Over Mikal Bridges’ Shocking Knicks Trade

By game 5 of the 2024 conference semi-finals, the New York Knicks had come closer to victory than they had in the past five decades. Though they lost by the next two games, would this mean the team had found what it needed? Not yet. Multiple reactions from the NBA community on a recent development suggest a path of hope for the team from here on. A development surrounding Mikal Bridges.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported in a post on his official account that “the Brooklyn Nets have agreed in principle on a trade to send F Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.”

Bridges had started his career with the Phoenix Suns but was traded to the Nets for Kevin Durant during the 2022-23 campaign. Playing for the Nets last season, he averaged 19.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. As per the reports, Bridges himself demanded a trade from the Nets just like Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.

Notably, the Nets were championship favorites in season 2021-22, but the team could not get past even the first round of playoffs. In fact, the Boston Celtics ousted them from the championship race with a clean sweep. And then another clean sweep at the same stage in season 2023 at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers. In the last season, the team did not even qualify for the playoffs. So it’s obvious for the Nets to look for a rebuild.

And as per ESPN sources, the Nets trading Bridges for Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-rounder is a clear indication towards a rebuild. Meanwhile, Bridges could be a valuable addition to the Knicks.

The Knicks won 50 games last season for the first time in almost a decade, but lost to Indiana Pacers in Game 7. The Warden’s both offensive and defensive proficiency may just be the missing piece for the Knicks. And the reactions from the NBA community somewhat indicate the significance of this trade.        

“Young… energetic… seasoned…”: Stephen A. Smith cannot keep his calm on the Mikal Bridges’ trade

The 56-year-old analyst took to his official X account and expressed his excitement on the move. He stated people should not nitpick with opinions like, ‘it’s not as if Knicks landed Kevin Durant’. Smith is of the opinion that chemistry, reliability, consistency, and defense matter more. “He’s young… energetic… seasoned… defends, and he fits right into the culture of the New York. That’s all I ask…” he said. Notably, although Mika Bridges averaged below 10 ppg in his first two seasons, he was among 10 most improved players by his third season.

By his fourth season in the league, he made it to All Defensive 1st team, securing the second spot in 2022 Defensive Player of the Year race. Additionally, he reached in 5 most improved players in the next season — his first when he averaged more than 20 ppg in a season. This explains Smith considers this move “in the right direction” for Knicks.

Like Smith, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins shares a similar viewpoint for the 2x NCAA champ. “And the Knicks just got better 😎 Carry the hell on…” he posted on X. Aside from above-mentioned stats and accolades, the fact Bridges secured 2017 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and 2018 Big East tournament MVP reflect the potential he possesses. And although this potential faded in his initial seasons, as of now Bridges stands as a well-rounded star.

Meanwhile, Jamal Crawford pointed out an interesting fact in his post on X. “Has there EVER been four guys who played together from the same college on the same NBA team?! That’s wild..” he wrote. If the reports turn out to be true and Mikal Bridges moves to Knicks, he’ll be re-uniting with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. All four of them played for Villanova Wildcats in season 2015-16 and 2016-17.

However, this instance won’t be first of a kind as earlier Tyus Jones, Grayson Allen, and Justice Winslow played for Duke Blue Devils in 2014-15 and then played on Memphis Grizzlies during season 2020-21. But Bridges re-union will surely be epic. At least that’s what Gilbert Arenas believes, as he shared a hilarious clip of friends ru-uniting captioning it as “When Mikal Bridges see the rest of the Nova Knicks”. 

Now if the reports turn out to be true, only time will tell if Mikal Bridges can be the missing piece for the Knicks that furthers team’s championship aspirations.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.