The New York Knicks have made their first significant move in the summer transfer market. The Knicks have signed Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges, sending Bojan Bogdanovic, four first-round draft picks, one second-round pick, and one pick swap option in return.
The Knicks go deeper into the Villanova national championship roster — bringing Mikal Bridges to join his old teammates and close friends Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVencenzo. pic.twitter.com/G544CT02zI
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
This acquisition makes Bridges the fourth Villanova University alumnus to join the Knicks. He will reunite with his good friends Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart, all of whom were his teammates at Villanova for several years.
According to ESPN, Brooklyn’s management considered several offers for Bridges, but his motivation was to reunite with his former Villanova teammates. The move strengthens the team led by Tom Thibodeau, making them even more prominent favourites in NBA’s Eastern Conference, especially considering that the team reached the conference semifinals last season without the injured Julius Randle. In the past season and a half with the Nets, Bridges elevated his game. Throughout the last season he averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. The 27-year-old player is one of the most physically durable athletes in the league, currently on a streak of 474 consecutive games played.