Mikal Bridges has already been mentioned in several offseason trade rumors, but Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required) believes the Nets intend to build around him rather than trying to deal him for other assets. Lewis states that Bridges has already become “the face of the franchise” and has strong support from owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks.
Bridges posted career-best numbers after being acquired from Phoenix in February, averaging 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27 games. He also emerged as a locker room leader and quickly won over Brooklyn fans with his style of play. He has a team-friendly contract that runs for three more seasons.
“I think he’s proven to a lot of people that his role can continue to get better and better and bigger and bigger,” Marks said. “But now that when the ball is in his hands in those key crucial moments of games, can he step up? Can he be that guy that we can rely on in big moments? I think we saw it a little bit in Phoenix when Devin Booker was out. He carried a considerable load for them. And then we saw this year where he came in and immediately was a crowd favorite.”
There’s more from New York:
- The Nets have “genuine interest” in Damian Lillard if he asks the Trail Blazers for a trade, Lewis adds in another Post story. Lewis examines the various factors surrounding a potential Lillard trade, including his age, his contract, which will reach $63.2MM in 2026/27, and what Brooklyn would have to send to Portland in return. Lewis doesn’t expect Nets management to part with Bridges, so a deal would have to be built around Nic Claxton, with Spencer Dinwiddie and Royce O’Neale thrown in for salary matching or possibly Ben Simmons if Brooklyn can include enough other pieces to convince the Blazers to take on his contract.
- Obi Toppin was the first lottery pick made by the Knicks‘ current management team, but his time in New York could end this summer, suggests Steve Popper of Newsday. Toppin has been stuck behind Julius Randle, which has prevented him from getting the playing time he needs to develop his game. Popper adds that although Toppin averaged 21.8 PPG in the five starts he made this season, he doesn’t provide the defensive presence that coach Tom Thibodeau wants at power forward.
- In a mailbag column, Fred Katz of The Athletic rates the Knicks‘ addition of Jalen Brunson last summer as the NBA’s best free agent signing since 2019.
You can’t sit and get better. Unfortunately Obi’s D is not where it should be. I’d still play him over Randle. Cause I believe he would get better. Randle gives up on plays. And fouls unnecessarily when upset. Just can’t buy into Julius drama anymore. It bores me to death. Thibs loyalty to him. Will ultimately take him down too. Been saying it two yrs now. Obi is a better mix with Jalen on offense. Knicks should retool around him.
DeRozan – SG
RJ – SF
Obi1 – PF
M Turner – C
Brunson – PG
Hartenstein, Hart, McBride, Grimes
We could have drafted Duren. Which I wanted to do. We’d be much better off now. Randle to Dallas, is best place for him.
Turner just signed a two year extension with Indy – he’s not going anywhere. As for DeRozen, you’ve even lowered the 3pt shot ability even more so while getting older.
How many players have just signed an extension or max deal the year before and been traded? Contracts mean nothing, the only thing that matters is the date the player is eligible to be traded.
He’s only here to go against me. I have that effect on some posters.
“He’s only here to go against me. I have the effect on some posters”
LMFAO
Bruh you’re in the same category as Sankara and the UK GSW homer…. Completely delusional. Your takes are awful. You try to convince everyone how smart you are but you’re just a delusional knicks homer
The day you can actually have a point. Will be the first ….. aren’t you tired of spouting lines by now. Get knowledge so you can have an argument.
Yeah a signed contract has always prevented a player from getting traded. What does 3PT shot have to do with anything. But since you obviously couldn’t care about real facts. He’s 30% 3PT career shooter. And 33% the last two yrs. We don’t need him for that. We need him for guaranteed 22 a gm. 85% FT. Good defense. And clutch baskets. He’s probably the best 2 pt maker in the NBA.
Your feelings still hurt lol ……. Waah
Why would Nets consider trading one of best trades they have ever made. Bridges is the future. Why would any intelligent basketball person. Even bring this up. It’s only going to get better for him. The only unknown in Bklyn is the Ben situation. That’s what they should be investigating and talking about. Bunch of padams lols ……
1976 ——— DrJ wanted a new contract.
However, the Nets instead looked for a team to take Erving off their hands in a trade, and they offered the Knicks Erving in exchange for the $4.8 million to be waived.
But the Knicks declined.
And the Sixers came onto the scene, offering to buy Erving’s contract outright for $3 million, and the Nets accepted.
Nets had to pay territorial rights to Knicks and Sixers. For coming into NBA. Plus Dr J was due a new contract. Still bothers me to this day. Money was the reason ……
Bridges isn’t going anywhere….
Yeah that was a bad move
Why would the Nets trade Harden, Durant, or Kyrie? Lol. They’ve traded much better players than Bridges.