NBA
Nets Trade Mikal Bridges to Knicks For Bojan Bogdanovic, Multiple Draft Picks
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All posts by James FoglioUpdated26 Jun 2024
The Brooklyn Nets are trading star forward Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks in exchange for veteran forward Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round draft picks (2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031), a protected 2025 first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, the Knicks’ unprotected 2028 pick swap, and a 2026 second-round selection, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
In February 2023, Brooklyn Nets traded Kevin Durant to Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and five first-round round draft picks
The Nets initially acquired Bridges during the 2022-23 season in the deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. Bridges quickly emerged as an impact player, averaging 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 27 games while shooting 47.5% from the floor and 37.6% from 3-point range.
In all 82 games played of the 2023-24 season, Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.6% from the field and 37.2% from beyond the arc.
The Knicks are sending four unprotected picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031) a 2025 protected Milwaukee first, a 2028 unprotected pick swap and a 2025 second-round pick for Mikal Bridges and a 2026 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/E4pTq3wCMP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
With this trade, the Nets now have 16 first-round picks available through 2031, including four selections in the starry 2025 NBA draft.
Although the Nets were listening to offers from several teams, Bridges had expressed his desire to play with his three former Villanova teammates in the Big Apple: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo.
Brooklyn also engaged in talks with the Houston Rockets
Nets general manager Sean Marks and Knicks president Leon Rose ramped up discussions Tuesday evening before finally pulling the trigger on this unlikely trade package.
According to Wojnarowski, Brooklyn was also engaged in talks with the Houston Rockets on getting back the franchise’s 2025 and 2026 first-round picks for Phoenix’s 2025 and 2027, along with a chance to receive the 2029 first-round pick as part of a swap if it was the most favorable of the Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix firsts.
Additionally, the Rockets possess a pick swap with Phoenix in 2025, Suns’ pick in 2027, and could end up with the Suns’ pick in 2029 based on contingencies.
The Nets had pursued star-level players to pair with Bridges, but they didn’t become available to them.
As a result, Brooklyn found itself with several NBA teams, including Memphis and Utah, willing to offer generous draft packages for Bridges early this week.
Rose already had nine first-round picks available for deals, leading to the first complete trade between the two teams since 1983.
The Nets could have more trades for assets on draft day Wednesday. In other words, the organization’s 16 first-round picks could increase if Brooklyn finds a deal for Cam Johnson.
