Knicks finalize Mikal Bridges trade, create salary cap space for Isaiah Hartenstein replacement

The Knicks completed the Mikal Bridges trade on Thursday, creating enough flexibility to add a replacement for center Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.

New York is sending Bojan Bogdanovic, Shake Milton, Mamadi Diakite, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick and a pick swap to the Nets in exchange for Bridges and Keita Bates-Diop.

According to salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan, the Knicks are now $16.9 million below the $188.9 million second cap with 11 players and have enough flexibility to re-sign Precious Achiuwa and use the taxpayer’s $5.2 million mid-level exception for another big man.

Want to bet on the NBA?

Discover the best sports betting sites in New Jersey

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks are monitoring the trade market for a backup center for Mitchell Robinson, including former North Carolina and Auburn 7-footer Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.

Kessler averaged 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds last season.

He has two years left on his rookie-level contract, which pays him $3 million in 2024-25, according to The Athletic.

Thank you for trusting us to provide you with trustworthy journalism. Please consider supporting us by subscribing.

Adam Zagoria is a freelance journalist covering Seton Hall and New Jersey college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You can follow him on Twitter @Adam Zagoria and check out his website at ZAGSBLOG.com.