Knicks Blockbuster Trade Idea: Swapping Mikal Bridges For Suns' Elite Scorer
The New York Knicks are rolling in the first round of the 2025 Playoffs, but if they fall short of a deep run, the front office may consider a major shakeup—including trading Mikal Bridges for a high-powered offensive star.
With Jalen Brunson playing like a top-10 postseason performer and Karl-Anthony Towns providing elite scoring, the pressure is on to capitalize now.
One potential blockbuster? A franchise-altering trade with the Phoenix Suns for Devin Booker.
Booker recently hinted at his love for playing in New York, sparking speculation about his future in Phoenix—and the Knicks’ opportunity to reshape theirs. Here’s how a deal could unfold:
- New York Knicks Receive: Devin Booker
- Phoenix Suns Receive: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, 2025 First-Round Pick (WAS), 2026 Second-Round Pick (DET/MIL/ORL), 2028 Second-Round Pick (IND/PHX), 2031 Second-Round Pick (NYK)
Knicks Go All-In for Eastern Conference Dominance
The Knicks are at a crossroads. After a strong regular season (earning the East’s 3rd seed) and a convincing Game 1 playoff win, they must decide: stay the course or swing for a superstar.
With Boston and Cleveland still looming as title threats, New York can’t settle for "good enough." Trading for Booker would send a clear message—they’re chasing a championship, not just contention.
Booker - 25.6 PPG, 7.1 APG in 2024-25, is the elite three-level scorer the Knicks need when games slow down in the playoffs. At 28, with Finals experience, he’d form a lethal trio alongside Brunson and Towns—a lineup built for deep playoff runs.
Losing Bridges and Hart would hurt—both are key culture pieces—but in a star-driven league, talent often trumps chemistry. With Booker, the Knicks could instantly become the East’s most dangerous team.
Suns Begin Overhaul with Future Assets
Phoenix’s win-now window has closed. Despite Kevin Durant’s All-Star production (26.6 PPG), they missed the 2025 playoffs, and with Durant likely leaving this summer, a rebuild is inevitable. Trading Booker accelerates the process—and it’s the right move.
Bridges - 17.6 PPG, returns as the ideal cornerstone: a two-way wing who fits any system. Hart -13.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, brings toughness, while Robinson (when healthy) remains a dominant rim protector. The draft picks add crucial flexibility for a team that’s depleted its assets in recent years.
This trade lets Phoenix reset with a younger core and future draft capital—finally moving past the unsustainable "all-in" approach.
A Franchise-Shifting Deal That Reignites New York
A Booker-to-Knicks trade would electrify the NBA. New York hasn’t had a scoring wing of his caliber since Carmelo Anthony, and pairing him with Brunson and Towns would make the Knicks a must-watch powerhouse.
Beyond the on-court impact, this move would transform the Knicks’ reputation—from a gritty underdog to a premier free-agent destination. The stakes would skyrocket: Finals or bust. But for the first time in decades, New York would have the firepower to meet those expectations.
Image - Vincent Carchietta-Imagn
