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Mikal Bridges reportedly ready to force trade with Knicks ahead of blockbuster deal

Posted on by angelo

The New York Knicks pulled off a blockbuster trade Tuesday night to sign Brooklyn Nets power forward Mikal Bridges.

The deal would be a big deal, with the New York Knicks sending forward Bojan Bogdanovic, five first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-round pick for the versatile 3-and-D swingman.

The trade seemingly came out of nowhere, but according to reports, landing with the Knicks was Bridges’ ultimate goal.

SNY’s Ian Begley reports that the deal “came together quickly after Bridges informed the Nets he wanted to become a Knick.”

Begley adds that Bridges and his camp were “willing to force things” by insisting to the Nets and other suitors that he only wanted to join the Knicks.

Bridges has two years and $48 million remaining on his contract.

Although Bridges was often considered an ideal match for the Knicks, there were major doubts whether the Knicks and Nets would ever reach a deal. The two teams had not interacted since 1983 and had a (sometimes) heated rivalry.

The Knicks, however, made sense for Bridges, as they already rostered three of his college teammates from Villanova in Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. The “Nova Knicks” mocked Bridges quite openly for playing for the other New York basketball team, with Hart comparing Bridges to a “SpongeBob” meme.

Bridges gives the Knicks another versatile 3-D wing who fits almost perfectly into what they do. New York gave up a lot to land Bridges, but they sure made the “Nova Knicks” happy with the move.