On the Eve of the NBA Draft, Knicks and Nets Make Landmark Trade
In a stunning move on the eve of the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets executed their first trade since 1983. The Knicks have agreed in principle to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Nets in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic, five first-round draft picks, a first-round pick swap, and a second-round selection, sources informed ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday.
Brooklyn will receive unprotected New York picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031, along with an unprotected pick swap with New York in 2028. Additionally, Brooklyn will obtain a top-four protected 2025 first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks and a 2025 second-rounder. The Knicks will acquire a 2026 second-round pick from the Nets to finalize the deal.
Mikal Bridges, 27, known for his durability and defensive prowess, has never missed an NBA game and averaged 19.6 points last season. The trade marks only the fifth transaction between the two New York franchises since the Nets joined the NBA in 1976 and is the first since 1983, making it a significant event in the league's history.
With this trade, Bridges will reunite with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, aiming to end the Knicks' 52-year championship drought. The Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, are also focusing on re-signing forward OG Anunoby and center Isaiah Hartenstein to strengthen their roster further.
The Nets, by moving on from Bridges, have set their sights on the future, amassing 16 first-round picks available through 2031. Brooklyn's general manager Sean Marks and Knicks president Leon Rose quickly escalated discussions, leading to the trade that sends four unprotected first-round picks to Brooklyn, among other assets.
Additionally, the Nets engaged in talks with the Houston Rockets, securing the return of their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks lost in the James Harden trade. This strategic move positions Brooklyn favorably for future drafts, which include top prospects like Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer.
Bojan Bogdanovic, 35, who averaged 15.2 points last season, returns to Brooklyn, where he began his NBA career. The trade signals a full-fledged rebuild for the Nets, with potential for more asset trades on draft day.
This landmark trade between the Knicks and Nets represents a significant shift in strategy for both franchises, with New York aiming for immediate contention and Brooklyn focusing on long-term growth.
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