Knicks will get a star forward in a blockbuster trade with the Nets.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets have reached an agreement in principle with the Knicks to trade forward Mikal Bridges for Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via the Bucks, an unprotected pick swap, and a second-round pick.
It’s a surprising development for both New York teams. The Knicks’ first-round draft picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031 will be moving to Brooklyn. The Bucks owed the Knicks a protected pick in the 2025 first round. The unprotected selection exchange will occur in 2028, while the second rounder will be in 2025. According to Wojnarowski, the Knicks will acquire the Nets’ 2026 second-round pick alongside Bridges.
According to Wojnarowski, the Nets have also reached an agreement with the Rockets to exchange draft picks.
It’s a massive haul for the Nets, who got Bridges from the Suns as part of the 2023 Kevin Durant megadeal. This past season, Bridges played in all 82 games, averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
He requested a trade with the Knicks, according to Ian Begley of SNY TV. Bridges is entering the third year of a four-year, $90.9 million contract. He wanted to reunite with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart, and he was ready to inform any other teams interested in trading for him that he would eventually sign with the Knicks as a free agency.
Bridges is expected to make $23.3 million next season. Bogdanovic signed a $19 million contract for next season and was clearly included in the deal mainly for money purposes. He may not be with the Nets for long, as only $2 million of his contract is guaranteed. It’s also likely that some smaller contracts will be included in the transaction to balance out the figures.
According to Wojnarowski, the Knicks will continue to attempt to re-sign OG Anunoby, who has elected to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agency. Bridges will undoubtedly alleviate Brunson and Julius Randle’s scoring burden.
According to Begley, the Knicks are poised to lose Isaiah Hartenstein to free agency. Hartenstein is projected to be a major target for multiple teams.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Nets agreed to trade a 2025 Suns pick swap, a 2027 Suns first-rounder, and a first-rounder and swap in 2029 for their own 2025 pick swap and a 2026 first-rounder from the James Harden transaction.
The Rockets are motivated to use their draft resources to help acquire an impact player. While the Rockets are interested in pursuing a Durant deal, Phoenix is more likely to stick with its current roster. According to Wojnarowski, the Rockets are now determined to use the Suns’ choices to be aggressive in further trades.
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