Knicks keep reuniting Villanova stars with Mikal Bridges blockbuster

There are a few intriguing things about this deal from a Knicks perspective.

The first is that it continues their fascination with the 2016 Villanova Wildcats as Bridges joins his former college teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart with the Knicks. 

More importantly it gives them one of the top players available via trade this offseason and further strengthens what is already one of the best rosters in the Eastern Conference. While giving up the four first-round picks is a long-term risk, most of those picks are still years away and the Knicks are chasing a championship right now.

Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game during the 2023-24 season for the Nets after averaging 26.1 in his partial season with the team in 2022-23. He was originally acquired by the Nets in the Kevin Durant trade with Phoenix. 

Bridges not only helps get them closer to that goal, but they did not have to give up key rotation player to get him. 

Brooklyn, meanwhile, has a collection of future assets and significant salary-cap space to begin rebuilding.