Blockbuster Trade Mikal Bridges Moves in Rare Knicks-Nets Deal

On the night before NBA draft the Knicks and Nets made their first trade in 1983 through a dramatic move. New York agreed to acquire Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn in exchange of Bojan Bogdanovic.

Brooklyn will unprotect the first round pick from New York in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031, along with an unprotected pick swap in 2028. They will also receive a top four protected first round pick in 2025 from the Milwaukee Bucks, along with a 2025 second round pick. To complete the deal the Knicks will receive a 2026 second round pick from the Nets.

Mikal Bridges never missed a game in his NBA career and averaged 19.6 points past season for Brooklyn. He considered one of the top 3 and D players in the league.

This trade marks the fifth deal between the two New York franchises till the Nets joined NBA in 1976. First time Nets traded Len Elmore to the Knicks for second round pick on June 22, 1983.

Almost 41 years later, teams made a huge trade with big impacts for both franchises.

With the Knicks, Mikal Bridges reunite with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo who helped the Wildcats to win the national championship in 2016. Brunson, Mikal Bridges and DiVincenzo also won another title together two years later.

Now they aim to end the Knicks 52 year championship drought next spring. The Knicks won playoff series in back to back seasons for the first time in 24 years. After beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the first round last spring. But lost to the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the Eastern conference semifinals.

The New York Knicks are setting their sights for retain two key players this offseason. OG Anunoby acquired from the Raptors, is an unrestricted free agent which means any team can make him an offer.

However the Knicks are prioritizing re signing him. Center Isaiah Hartenstein is also a free agent but the Knicks ability to bring him back is trickier. They only hold his “early Bird rights,” limiting their contract offer to 4 years and roughly $72.5 million. In short the Knicks want both players back but financial constraints might force them to prioritize Anunoby.

The New York Knicks are making a big move to compete with best team in the Eastern conference. They recently got two new players Bridges and Anunoby. These players are both really tall and can shoot and defend well from anywhere on the court. This will be helpful against the Celtics who are also very strong.

Here is a fun fact Bridges has not missed a single game in his entire career so far. That is a very impressive streak. He is also one of the best young scorers in league along with guys like Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum.

There are two years left from Bridges’s current deal with Knicks. In his left deal he will earn $23.3 million this year and $24.9 million next year.

Starting in October, he can sign a contract extension for two more years worth $113 million.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are clearly moving on from Bridges and are focusing on a different strategy for their team. They traded Bridges to the Knicks which they had acquired earlier in a trade for Kevin Durant.

Now, Brooklyn has control of its 2025 and 2026 drafts both considered very strong with top prospects. Which like Cooper Flagg in 2025 and Cameron Boozer son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer in 2026.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 15.2 points in last season between the Knicks and Detroit Pistons. The Nets drafted him in 2011. Bojan played 2.5 years of his career with them.