What the Mikal Bridges Trade and More Means for the Knicks (and the Nets, Rockets and Suns)

The Knicks just shocked the NBA world before the 2024 NBA Draft by sending Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031), a 2025 protected Milwaukee first, a 2028 unprotected pick swap and a 2025 second-round pick for Mikal Bridges and a 2026 second-round pick.

The trade brings Bridges to join together with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo to complete the 'Nova Knicks from their NCAA championship squad.

The locker room vibes will be immaculate.

While this is close to an overpay for Bridges, the Knicks didn't need to add another ball-dominant superstar. Rather, they added a player who never misses games, defends multiple positions at an elite level, and can create off the bounce if needed while still shooting at a solid clip (37.5%) from 3-point range.

The Knicks creating a team that is extremely strong on the wings gives them the immediate ability to match up better with the NBA Champion Boston Celtics in what is otherwise an Eastern Conference that is littered with question marks.

The Atlantic Division just became even more loaded with talent. I’d look to see whether adding an Atlantic Division to win the NBA Title ticket is worth it depending on the price.

Besides the 'Nova boys, the Knicks still have Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Miles McBride to name a few under contract players. However, they're still awaiting the free agency decisions of OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Considering the Knicks are now essentially hard capped as a first apron team, I think it is more, not less, likely that they offer OG Anunoby closer to $35 million to retain his talents in free agency.

The issue with Hartenstein is the Knicks only have his Early Bird Rights, which means the most they could offer him is roughly 4 years and $72.5 million. It is likely another team will be able to offer him more money even in fewer years for a significant bump to his annual salary.

As a result, I think they're now less likely to trade Mitchell Robinson and potentially look to acquire a center on a veteran minimum contract such as Goga Bitazde.

If the Knicks do intend to trade Robinson, it will be evident by their draft strategy on Wednesday night. They still have two first round draft picks in this draft (24 and 25), and if they want, maybe those could be packaged together to move up for Zach Edey (Purdue), Yves Missi (Baylor), or Kel’el Ware (Indiana).

This is an exciting time for the Knicks as they brought together a squad that should be a contender.

For the Nets, they made another trade with the Houston Rockets to regain control of their future draft picks, importantly, they now control their 2025 Draft Pick. I'd expect the Nets to continue this fire sale and tank hard to enter the Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes.

For the Rockets, they now control the Suns' future. If the Suns are in a decline or decide to tank, they would be active in trying to pry Kevin Durant or Devin Booker from Phoenix.