Breaking: New York Knicks acquiring ‘Top-Star’ in pricey trade with Brooklyn Nets. Who won?

The New York Knicks are aiming to seize an opportunity to become the Eastern Conference champions. According to a source familiar with the trade, the Knicks have struck a deal with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire forward Mikal Bridges in exchange for Bojan Bodganovic.

The trade package includes four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick in 2025, a pick swap, and two second-round picks. The trade details are yet to be officially announced, hence the anonymity of the source.

In return, the Nets will receive the Knicks’ first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031. Mikal Bridges is highly regarded as one of the premier two-way players in the game, known for his consistency.

In the 2023-24 season, he contributed an average of 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Additionally, Bridges displayed an impressive shooting performance with 43.6% from the field, 37.2% on 3-pointers, and 81.4% on free throws while playing for the Nets.

Mikal Bridges, a 27-year-old forward, has played in every game possible in his six-year NBA career. He even appeared in 83 games in the 2022-23 season after being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal involving Kevin Durant. Bridges has two seasons and $48.2 million remaining on his contract, set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.

The New York Knicks, who lost to the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, were hampered by injuries to key players including Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson. Star Jalen Brunson was even knocked out of the Game 7 defeat with a fractured hand.

With the addition of Bridges, the Knicks will have four players who attended Villanova University: Bridges, Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. All four were teammates on Villanova’s 2016-17 championship team.

This trade marks the first between the Knicks and Nets since 1983, when the Knicks acquired Len Elmore from the Nets in exchange for a second-round pick.

The Knicks’ trade for Bridges earns a B+ grade, as they gave up significant assets but made a push to contend for a title. The Nets’ trade with the Knicks and Rockets receives an A- grade, as they continue to rebuild their draft capital after the Durant-Harden-Irving era