Rival teams were sensing Brooklyn’s growing willingness to part with Bridges in recent days, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Utah and Houston were two of the other teams league personnel had mentioned were actively involved in pursuing Bridges.
It must be nice being a contending team in the East where the Nets, Wizards, Hornets, Pistons, Raptors, and potentially the Bulls and even the Hawks will be looking to tank this upcoming season. 20-28 very winnable games for the rest of the East heading into the playoffs.
Contrast that with the West where Wembayama and the Spurs org have let it be known that they want to field a playoff contending team this year. Expect the Rockets and Jazz to make their push which will now leave just 1 team out West, the Blazers, looking to tank for a loaded 2025 draft class.
Exactly. This is akin to PG trade to the Clippers. Clips had to massively overpay in order to match PG with Kawhi (to get Kawhi to sign). Similar concept in that the Knicks wanted to reunite the Villanova core and paid a premium to do so. Eliminate the Knicks from this trade and the Nets are being offered a bit more commensurate value for Bridges. I don’t think this resets the market in anyway.
Not that Thompson himself is a viable #2 anymore. That was one of the problems from this last year. Steph was our #1 and... we had a bunch guys that were #3 or worse.
Yeah, but i don’t think it’ll be far less than they were seeking. This an apples to oranges comparison. 27 year old on a below market deal for 2 more years is different than a disgruntled 34 year old threatening to leave.
So Knicks got Bridges and is expecting to re-sign Anunoby, but they will lose Hartenstein. Who will Hartenstein go to? Pelicans? Lakers (I hope not)? Thunder?
Woj mentioned about it in one of his tweets below:
The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
I’m not convinced Woj has any idea what he’s talking about with Hartenstein. I’m gonna check out Posting and Toasting and see what they’re saying. Plus, Woj, it’s “re-sign.” And “the ability becomes more difficult” is not really English.
Kind of amazing that a crappy writer and boring clod with no particular basketball insight can make multiple millions of dollars a year for getting basketball news 30 seconds before other reporters and releasing it in shoddily-written one-sentence soundbites. And when he does half-heartedly attempt any analysis of the news, it invariably sucks.
I don't understand how there are some Warrior's fans out there that's hanging on to the KD back to the Dubs dream? First of all he's not even available and secondly I am pretty positive he has burned his basketball bridge with Draymond. Why would be come crawling back here?
I’m sure their on court chemistry is still top notch and while they have made up off the court I just find it hard for KD to put on a Dubs jersey again with Draymond still around after those comments from the Clippers game
Bridges isn’t an elite primary option, but he’s a really, really good second or third guy. I liked the trade for the Knicks till I learned it’ll probably require letting go of Hartenstein. Now I’m kind of on the fence.
If they can somehow keep Hartenstein and OG (and maybe dump Randle) that’s an absolutely killer Knicks team. Brunson-Donte-Mikal-OG-Hartenstein, with Hart, McBride, and MitchRob coming off the bench? Watch out, Celtics!
Rockets possess a pick swap with Suns in 2025, Suns' pick in 2027 and could end up with the Suns' pick in 2029 based on contingencies. If the Suns are ever faced with breaking up team, Houston's also in prime position to pursue a younger Devin Booker. For now, Phoenix is trying to win.
Listen I’ll be elated if this offseason involves letting CP walk, signing Klay for 3 yrs 55 and using the MLE to sign a solid rotation player. I just don’t think we are as far away from contention as to need to blow our post Steph draft capital or trading any of our young bucks. And also would like to see Garuba back on a 2 way. 🤗
Second Apron concerns I believe. Someone else would have to educate me but I think if we bring back a similar salaried contract then we’d pretty much have to renounce Klay and for me keeping the core intact and letting all 3 of them go down swinging is a priority. Just saying that if we can just get a solid rotation piece to boost our lineup and bring back Klay, and keep the rest of the lineup intact, I like our chances in the West.
I’ve really changed my tune on the youngins since season ended. Id rather see them be kept than be traded away. I think that’s some solid depth up and down our lineup.
banging my drum: they need to send someone out (or do a multiple player for one swap) just to clear rotation space, especially if they want an MLE signing
I think if we make no other roster moves and not pick up team option on CP, we can re-sign Klay for no more than 19 a year I believe and still have full use of that MLE. Don’t quote me on that. Now if that’s the case I’d like to keep the rest of the roster intact but if they decide to make a move that let’s say shuffles either Looney and/or GP2 and let’s say a young in or a heavily protected 1st rounder in either 2025 or 2026, I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed as long as we still have that MLE to make another move. Again though I’d rather have full use of the MLE while keeping the entirety of our roster intact sans Chris Paul and a couple of the back end of the rotation players #FREEGARUBA
The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
NYK free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to be a top target for several opposing teams in free agency. With the offers that Hartenstein is expected to command on open market, it’s become increasingly unlikely that NYK will be able to retain Hartenstein
Are the Knicks a title contender now? They didn't really trade any important player for Bridges but basically gave up their near future. Was this move worth it?
Most likely. I wouldn't say that's a sure thing. There's definitely some questions they have to answer. They could move out Randle or Robinson and keep Hartenstein.
And also, once they do OG extension they will have Brunson next year, and then Bridges the year after. They are gonna be a pretty expensive tax paying team that might just be topped out as making a couple competitive Conference Finals.
Still, they've been a joke for a long time. It's OK to build a consistent winner and see what happens.
is Randle headed out? what would his value be? ("distressed asset" is a good general acquisition target for the Dubs, but I'd pass on Randle specifically)
But, if the GM gets him 7 good players, he won't be able to play all of them 48 minutes a game. I guess he could leave 2 of them on the bench until a starter gets injured for over-use, and then put the backup in for 48.
Anyone have Intel on lefty shooter Ajinca? Made all his shots in the highlight reel.
OK, folks, I have landed in Spain (Madrid).
Just let me know what you want to tell Usman to convince him to return.
like: "TJD ain't all that ... you can take half his minutes" or
"let me introduce you to my sister ... she looks just like Aura Garrido!"
Enjoy your travels!
Rival teams were sensing Brooklyn’s growing willingness to part with Bridges in recent days, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Utah and Houston were two of the other teams league personnel had mentioned were actively involved in pursuing Bridges.
https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-the-mikal-bridges-trade-what-it-means-for-the-knicks-and-the-league-at-large-042345090.html
It must be nice being a contending team in the East where the Nets, Wizards, Hornets, Pistons, Raptors, and potentially the Bulls and even the Hawks will be looking to tank this upcoming season. 20-28 very winnable games for the rest of the East heading into the playoffs.
Contrast that with the West where Wembayama and the Spurs org have let it be known that they want to field a playoff contending team this year. Expect the Rockets and Jazz to make their push which will now leave just 1 team out West, the Blazers, looking to tank for a loaded 2025 draft class.
Given the number of picks the Knicks had to give up to get Bridges, I can't see the Warriors even having the assets for an "all in" trade.
Someone always over pays but people still need to make a deal. If no one else is offering 5 picks, but the best you get is 3, you’ll take it
Exactly. This is akin to PG trade to the Clippers. Clips had to massively overpay in order to match PG with Kawhi (to get Kawhi to sign). Similar concept in that the Knicks wanted to reunite the Villanova core and paid a premium to do so. Eliminate the Knicks from this trade and the Nets are being offered a bit more commensurate value for Bridges. I don’t think this resets the market in anyway.
Not that Thompson himself is a viable #2 anymore. That was one of the problems from this last year. Steph was our #1 and... we had a bunch guys that were #3 or worse.
Yeah, but i don’t think it’ll be far less than they were seeking. This an apples to oranges comparison. 27 year old on a below market deal for 2 more years is different than a disgruntled 34 year old threatening to leave.
Hard to blame MDJ for a hypothetical that hasn't happened yet.
So Knicks got Bridges and is expecting to re-sign Anunoby, but they will lose Hartenstein. Who will Hartenstein go to? Pelicans? Lakers (I hope not)? Thunder?
also are there rumors that Anunoby will re-sign? i haven’t seen any, and FA hasn’t started yet…
I missed something. Why does the Bridges deal mean they have to lose Hartenstein? Is it because he puts them over the second apron? Something else?
Woj mentioned about it in one of his tweets below:
The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1805792814535499842
I’m not convinced Woj has any idea what he’s talking about with Hartenstein. I’m gonna check out Posting and Toasting and see what they’re saying. Plus, Woj, it’s “re-sign.” And “the ability becomes more difficult” is not really English.
Kind of amazing that a crappy writer and boring clod with no particular basketball insight can make multiple millions of dollars a year for getting basketball news 30 seconds before other reporters and releasing it in shoddily-written one-sentence soundbites. And when he does half-heartedly attempt any analysis of the news, it invariably sucks.
I've never understood Woj's success. He has always been a terrible writer. He is an example of where AI might help an actual human do his job.
I don't understand how there are some Warrior's fans out there that's hanging on to the KD back to the Dubs dream? First of all he's not even available and secondly I am pretty positive he has burned his basketball bridge with Draymond. Why would be come crawling back here?
KD and Dray played pretty well alongside each other at the 2020 Olympics, so I don't think they'd necessarily be incompatible now.
I’m sure their on court chemistry is still top notch and while they have made up off the court I just find it hard for KD to put on a Dubs jersey again with Draymond still around after those comments from the Clippers game
KD is also making $50M/year for the next 2 years.. I suppose CP3+Wiggins matches but I can't see the Suns doing that deal.
We are not making a trade without his blessing and I highly doubt he’s interested in a reunion unless we pull another Hamptons stunt
Wow!
M Bridges is worth a pretty good player in BB and 4 or 5 first round picks?
What is an elite player worth now?
That seems like a big overpay to me.
Bridges isn’t an elite primary option, but he’s a really, really good second or third guy. I liked the trade for the Knicks till I learned it’ll probably require letting go of Hartenstein. Now I’m kind of on the fence.
If they can somehow keep Hartenstein and OG (and maybe dump Randle) that’s an absolutely killer Knicks team. Brunson-Donte-Mikal-OG-Hartenstein, with Hart, McBride, and MitchRob coming off the bench? Watch out, Celtics!
A year ago it was not even within the realm of possibility that that group would be a serious contender for a NBA championship. Right?
You just never know how guys will improve or just have perfect chemistry.
Let’s see if they were a one year fluke, even with the addition of Bridges.
I guess it gives the Warriors hope in sense of chemistry and the parts being greater than the whole possibility happening for them too!
Dumping Randle would be huge for them.
I think they need a few more Villanova guys. How about Kyle Lowry, Cam Whitmore, and Omari Spellman?
Paschall!
The Nets' first-round picks after the Knicks and Rockets deals:
2025 (own), 2025 via MIL, 2025 via NYK
2026 (own)
2027 via NYK, 2027 via PHI (Top-8 protected), 2028 via PHX (swap)
2029 via NYK, 2029 (own), 2029 via DAL
2030 (own)
2031 via NYK, 2031 (own)
Shams reported Brooklyn included a 2029 pick and a swap as part of the Houston deal. It's unclear which pick that is as of now.
https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1805793662225330524
Rockets possess a pick swap with Suns in 2025, Suns' pick in 2027 and could end up with the Suns' pick in 2029 based on contingencies. If the Suns are ever faced with breaking up team, Houston's also in prime position to pursue a younger Devin Booker. For now, Phoenix is trying to win.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1805794599786451072
Listen I’ll be elated if this offseason involves letting CP walk, signing Klay for 3 yrs 55 and using the MLE to sign a solid rotation player. I just don’t think we are as far away from contention as to need to blow our post Steph draft capital or trading any of our young bucks. And also would like to see Garuba back on a 2 way. 🤗
Why not trade CP3 instead of release (if we can find a decent deal)?
Second Apron concerns I believe. Someone else would have to educate me but I think if we bring back a similar salaried contract then we’d pretty much have to renounce Klay and for me keeping the core intact and letting all 3 of them go down swinging is a priority. Just saying that if we can just get a solid rotation piece to boost our lineup and bring back Klay, and keep the rest of the lineup intact, I like our chances in the West.
I’ve really changed my tune on the youngins since season ended. Id rather see them be kept than be traded away. I think that’s some solid depth up and down our lineup.
banging my drum: they need to send someone out (or do a multiple player for one swap) just to clear rotation space, especially if they want an MLE signing
I think if we make no other roster moves and not pick up team option on CP, we can re-sign Klay for no more than 19 a year I believe and still have full use of that MLE. Don’t quote me on that. Now if that’s the case I’d like to keep the rest of the roster intact but if they decide to make a move that let’s say shuffles either Looney and/or GP2 and let’s say a young in or a heavily protected 1st rounder in either 2025 or 2026, I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed as long as we still have that MLE to make another move. Again though I’d rather have full use of the MLE while keeping the entirety of our roster intact sans Chris Paul and a couple of the back end of the rotation players #FREEGARUBA
it's not about cap space, it's about playing time
Steph/Klay/Wiggs/Dray/Trayce
Podz/Moody/Kuminga/GP2/Loon
that's already a crowded rotation before adding a 6th man type player to it!
The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1805792814535499842
Nets are open for business, folks. If you want Cam Johnson or Dorian Finney-Smith, now is the time to go get them.
https://x.com/SamQuinnCBS/status/1805790073960481077
I’d do Wiggs and a pick for Cam Johnson, if Klay’s gonna sulk his way onto another team. Cam’s basically a younger, bigger, better version of Klay.
feel like that's not enough to get it done
would Wiggs, Moody, and a pick?
Yeah, that’s probably more realistic. But I don’t wanna trade Moods!!!
CP3's expiring contract + GP2 + Top 4 protected 2026 1st rounder for Cam Johnson and DFS. Take it or leave it Brooklyn
Nic Claxton?
He's a FA
Sources: Knicks to acquire Mikal Bridges from Nets: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40433116/sources-knicks-acquire-mikal-bridges-nets
Wow! I love the Villanova connect they got going on. Lots of fun. The defense they’re building with Bridges and OG is going to be legit.
5 1sts, 4 unprotected, plus pick swap is wild.
Thats plus the 4 picks and a pick swap they got from the Suns for KD. Maybe more to come if they move out Cam Johnson.
So basically the Nets got 5 Knick picks, their next 2 picks, and a few pick swaps for KD. Amazing haul honestly.
He won't have to change his address. Good deal for Bridges.
That'll be a huge deal if it goes through...
NYK free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to be a top target for several opposing teams in free agency. With the offers that Hartenstein is expected to command on open market, it’s become increasingly unlikely that NYK will be able to retain Hartenstein
https://x.com/ianbegley/status/1805788810908729512
Are the Knicks a title contender now? They didn't really trade any important player for Bridges but basically gave up their near future. Was this move worth it?
They have a shot assuming they keep OG. It’s a really well constructed team. Theyre going to be a bitch to play.
They're going to lose Hartenstein, though.
Most likely. I wouldn't say that's a sure thing. There's definitely some questions they have to answer. They could move out Randle or Robinson and keep Hartenstein.
And also, once they do OG extension they will have Brunson next year, and then Bridges the year after. They are gonna be a pretty expensive tax paying team that might just be topped out as making a couple competitive Conference Finals.
Still, they've been a joke for a long time. It's OK to build a consistent winner and see what happens.
They got better for sure, but I just don’t see a team where Julius Randle is your 1st-2nd option contending for a championship tbh.
is Randle headed out? what would his value be? ("distressed asset" is a good general acquisition target for the Dubs, but I'd pass on Randle specifically)
Brooklyn has always been a mis-managed team without any real decision makers. It's a total makeover now.
Also this takes NYK out of the PG13 race in the case he forces a trade. Less competition for us if we're actually interested.
Prob means they offered the same for PG, right? Maybe not? Will the warriors beat that?
I’m not sure I think Brooklyn had all the leverage because Bridges specifically requested the Knicks
But, if the GM gets him 7 good players, he won't be able to play all of them 48 minutes a game. I guess he could leave 2 of them on the bench until a starter gets injured for over-use, and then put the backup in for 48.