BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: New York Knicks Acquire Mikal Bridges From Brooklyn Nets

Despite a year's worth of denying they would trade Mikal Bridges under any circumstances, the Brooklyn Nets have agreed to send their star forward crosstown to the New York Knicks in a blockbuster deal late Tuesday night.

BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets have agreed in principle on a trade to send F Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/TEGsIpoa3b
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024

The Knicks, in turn, will be sending a huge package of four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap, a second-rounder and Bojan Bogdanovic to Brooklyn.

It's a homecoming of sorts for Bridges, who now joins many of his key 2016 & 2018 champion Villanova teammates in Manhattan.

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

Bridges will team up once again with close friends Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVencenzo, as they now hope to win a title on the pro level as well (could Eric Paschall be far behind?).

It seems that Bridges made it clear that he wanted to go to the Knicks.

Mikal Bridges’ side made it clear to Nets he wanted to be a Knick. But Nets didn’t have to trade him. Knicks made an offer BKN couldn’t refuse. More on that, why Isaiah Hartenstein is unlikely to be back & what it means for OG Anunoby & more here: pic.twitter.com/Zu5uMmeAFd
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2024

The Knicks, according to Ian Begley and Adrian Wojnarowski, are still determined to re-sign OG Anunoby, as their plan is to load up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.

As for the Nets, it's a start-from-scratch rebuild, with oodles of draft assets now to work with.