Arizona Diamondbacks React to Mikal Bridges for Kevin Durant Trade

Late Wednesday night, the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns agreed to a seismic trade, as the Nets sent All-Star Kevin Durant and forward TJ Warren to the Suns in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first round picks, and a 2028 pick swap.

The Arizona Diamondbacks reacted to the trade on Twitter.

At least we’ll always have Mikal Bridges Appreciation Day. 💔
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) February 9, 2023

The Diamondbacks official Twitter account tweeted, "At least we'll always have Mikal Bridges Appreciation Day," with a broken heart emoji.

Last summer, the Diamondbacks hosted a special event at an August 30 game against the Philadelphia Phillies. On that day, they held their first ever 'Mikal Bridges Appreciation Night'.

Earlier in the summer, when the Villanova product tweeted about his love for the Philadelphia Phillies, he had no idea what he would be getting himself into.

Bridges grew up in Philadelphia and is a lifelong Phillies' fan. The Diamondbacks' official Twitter account pointed out that he was pledging his allegiance to his hometown team at the wrong time, as Phoenix's baseball team was coming into town the next day.

After a playful exchange between the Diamondbacks' official Twitter account and Bridges, the Diamondbacks offered up a friendly wager.

If the Diamondbacks took the series, Bridges would have to come to a Diamondbacks game in a full-Diamondbacks uniform.

If the Phillies won the series, the Diamondbacks would hold a special 'Mikal Bridges Appreciation Day' on their Twitter account when the Phillies visited Phoenix later in the summer. Bridges agreed to the terms of the bet.

BET 😭🤝 https://t.co/c37fbfQ4lF
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) June 10, 2022

August 30, the Diamondbacks went above and beyond the original terms of the bet, hosting Bridges at Chase Field on his 26th birthday, allowing him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, posting fun facts about Bridges on the Diamondbacks' scoreboard and changing the pictures on their official team Twitter and Instagram accounts to a picture of Bridges' face.

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/NTbg8EFqdk
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 30, 2022

The Diamondbacks even changed their official Twitter name to 'Mikal Bridges Fan Account' for the day.

The Diamondbacks had fans at the park sing 'Happy Birthday' to Bridges.

One last time for the birthday boy, @mikal_bridges! 🥳

Special shoutout to @campayne for always bringing that energy! pic.twitter.com/pxCrZldHnb
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 31, 2022

Bridges surprised the fans when he arrived wearing a Diamondbacks jersey.

Mikal won the bet, but we won Mikal Bridges Appreciation Day. 😉 pic.twitter.com/oG7c2fLBEh
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 31, 2022

While Suns fans are excited that their team acquired Kevin Durant, they will also miss Bridges. One silver lining for Bridges however is now that he will be in Brooklyn, it will be much easier for him to get to Phillies games this season.

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