The Empire State Building illuminated blue and orange on Tuesday night to celebrate a Mets victory. However, these lights also honored the Knicks moments after news emerged about a significant trade. The Knicks completed a blockbuster deal with Brooklyn, offering five first-round picks to secure defensive ace Mikal Bridges. Interest in Bridges had been rising, with Utah and Houston in the mix, but the Knicks’ proposal was unmatched.
Brooklyn had resisted previous offers, even those close to four first-round picks. Negotiations intensified when the Knicks proposed four unprotected first-round picks starting in 2025 and an additional protected pick from the Bucks. This offer included the right to swap first-round picks in 2028, leading to a total of six years of draft assets. This trade ranks as one of the largest returns in NBA history for a player who hasn’t been an All-Star.
For the Knicks, Bridges is a crucial addition, complementing their roster with another Villanova alum alongside Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart. His defensive skills are seen as a counter to Boston’s dominant wings. Bridges eyed New York, especially after the Knicks added DiVincenzo following a trade for Hart. This Wildcat connection now makes New York a more formidable contender.
