On Wednesday afternoon, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets agreed to their first trade as crosstown rivals. The Nets shipped Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic, four first-round selections, and other future assets. It was just the fifth time the Knicks and Nets had hooked up for a trade and the first since 1983.
NBA Trade Grades: Who Won the First Trade Between The Knicks and Nets as Crosstown Rivals and What Does the Deal Mean for the Teams?
Bridges is a 6-6 wing who is highly regarded around the league due to his 3-and-D prowess and versatility. The 28-year-old, who often gets the top defensive assessment, is also an excellent 3-level scorer. He joins former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo on the Knicks.
However, Bridges is coming off a disappointing season. Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals. While Bridges averaged nearly seven points fewer this past season than during the 2022-23 season when he compiled a career-high 20.1 points a contest, he set a career-best in assists (3.7) and 3-pointers (2.7). He averaged 26.7 points in 27 games for the Nets after being traded from the Phoenix Suns.
A big reason for Bridges’ drop in production was that he shot 43.6/37.2/81.4%, his worst shooting split since his rookie campaign. Still, Bridges compiled three double-doubles and scored in double-figures in 75 of his 82 appearances, topping the 30-point mark five times and scoring at least 40 points on three occasions. He has two years and $48.1 million left on his contract.
In addition, New York receives Brooklyn’s 2026 second-round choice, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Brooklyn’s haul
Brooklyn received Bogdanovic and the Knicks 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031 first-rounders. The Nets also get Milwaukee’s 2025 first-rounder (top-4 protected), a right to swap picks with New York in 2028, and a 2025 second-round selection.
Bogdanovic is an outstanding player who is one of the top 3-point marksmen in NBA history, ranking 50th in threes and 70th in percentage. The 35-year-old thrived during his year-and-a-half stint with the Detroit Pistons and was brought to New York to help solidify the Knicks’ bench after their many injuries.
However, Bogdanovic struggled to get acclimated with the Knicks. Bogdanovic averaged 10.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 19.2 minutes while shooting 43.0/37.0/80.0 in 29 contests before suffering a season-ending injury in the first round of the playoffs against Philadelphia. The 35-year-old, who will make $19.03 million this year, will be coming off foot and wrist surgery.
Trade Evaluation
New York Knicks: B
New York had a lot of assets, and they knew the guy they wanted. The acquisition of Bridges and their re-signing of OG Anunoby to a five-year, $214.5 million, according to Wojnarowski, make the Knicks immediate contenders in the East.
Bridges gives the Knicks a third reliable scorer, but more importantly, a defensive stalwart. When paired with Anunoby, Bridges will give the Knicks the best defensive wing duo in the league. This has to have coach Tom Thibodeau salivating because his coaching style is predicated on defense.
Bridges will presumably step in as the Knicks’ starting shooting guard along with Brunson. Anunoby and Julius Randle will start at the two forward spots, with the starting center job in flux. Right now, it figures to be either Mitchell Robinson or Isaiah Hartenstein. But Hartenstein is a free agent, though rumors are swirling that the Knicks are looking to shed Robinson’s salary so they can afford Hartenstein.
It is conceivable that New York trades for a starting five big man, and several are rumored to be on the market.
Back to the trade. The Knicks did a good job at ridding themselves of Bogdanovic’s contract. However, the Knicks did severely overpay for a guy who has never been to an all-star with the five first-rounders. Granted, Bridges finished second in DPOY voting in 2022.
Knicks Salary Cap Situation
The Knicks made a plethora of moves during the two-day NBA draft. They ended up with 18-year-old French Pacome Dadiet, whom they selected with the No. 25 pick. In the second round, the Knicks added 6-9 German center Ariel Hukporti, 6-3 guard Tyler Kolek, and Kevin McCullar. So, the Knicks potentially have two first-round selections and a pair of second-rounders next season. They have three first-round picks and 15 second-round selections from 2026-2031.
While the Knicks may have an inclination to stash Dadiet for a year or two overseas, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reports that he plans to be in the NBA this season. Kolek and McCullar are potential two-way candidates.
New York has 11 players under contract for next season, with salaries totaling $169.2 million. The Knicks are slated to be hard-capped at $178.7 million or $189.5 million, depending on how Bridges’ contract is structured. DaQuan Jeffries ($2.4 million) and Jericho Sims ($2.09 million) have club options. Meanwhile, Precious Achiuwa ($6.2 million) is a restricted free agent.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, if the Knicks lose, Hartenstein, Goga Bitadze, Jonas Valanciunas, and Andre Drummond could be free-agent targets. Scotto said the Knicks could trade for Charlotte Hornets Nick Richards.
Brooklyn Nets Trade Grade: A
Brooklyn is going through a rebuild, and it appears that the Nets are playing the long game. The Nets got a boatload of assets from the Knicks. They Nets made a trade with Houston to get their own first-round picks back in 2025 and 2026, which is important because they are reportedly open for business. Therefore, they are going to be bad this season.
Brooklyn could make more trades this season to enhance their rebuild. Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder, Ben Simmons, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Bogdanovic are the players who could be moved.
Johnson and Finney-Smith are probably the two players most likely to garner several suitors due to their shooting ability. There was a lot of chatter surrounding Finney-Smith at last year’s trade deadline. Johnson has been linked to the Sacramento Kings, per Yahoo Sports Jake Fischer.
Scotto added that a few teams are interested in Sharpe, including the Memphis Grizzlies.
“By my count, the Brooklyn Nets now have a surplus of 15 first-round picks over the next seven drafts,” tweeted cap expert Yossi Gozlan. “They are projected to generate north of $60 million in 2025 cap space.”
Nets Salary Cap Situation
Brooklyn re-signed upcoming free agent Nic Claxton to a four-year, $100 million contract on Wednesday, with all but $4 million guaranteed, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Nets have 12 players under contract with salaries totaling $152.2 million for the upcoming season. Jalen Wilson has a $1.8 million non-guaranteed deal, though he will likely be on the Nets’ 15-man roster.
KJ Jones of Division II Emmanuel College and Villanova’s Mark Armstrong will reportedly join the Nets’ offseason program. Jones and the Nets have agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract, per Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress.com. Jones and Armstrong could eventually earn a 15-man roster spot or, more likely, a two-way deal.
