Nets' Mikal Bridges 'Wanted the Knicks' During 2018 NBA Draft
New York Knicks stars Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson succeeded in convincing the front office to pursue Golden State Warriors free agent guard Donte DiVincenzo, as their fellow former Villanova Wildcat signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the team on July 1
Brunson and DiVincenzo won two national titles at Villanova, with Hart sticking around for the first in 2016. Reunited in Manhattan, they are no doubt excited to build even more chemistry in the orange and blue. However, the "Nova Knicks" are still striving to bring one more Wildcat teammate to their borough.
Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges has been targeted by Hart on Twitter, hinting at asking for a trade to the Knicks. It almost happened four years ago: Bridges appeared on a "Tidal League" podcast and said he wanted and expected to be drafted by the Knicks in 2018.
“I thought I was going to go to New York at (No.) 9," Bridges said. "I was excited, though, because I wanted to go to the Knicks, I wanted to be in New York, I’m like that’s lit."
"I love MSG, all my best games in college were there."
The Knicks would select Kevin Knox at No. 9 and Bridges would go to the 76ers at No. 10. However, Bridges was traded to the Phoenix Suns on the same night. Bridges has established a strong professional career for himself while Knox lasted four uneventful seasons in New York before he was traded to Atlanta in 2022.
The Nets took on his four-year, $90 million contract extension after he was traded by the Suns in February. He doesn't become an unrestricted free agent until 2026, which is why Hart is trying to convince him to request a trade now, no matter how unlikely it may be.
Bridges averaged 26.1 points per game in his 27 games with the Nets last season (playing 83 total between Phoenix and Brooklyn). He's known as one of the best two-way players in the NBA as he was a member of the 2021-22 NBA All-Defensive team. He'll likely be one of the Nets' headliners as they push forward into a new era.
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