Josh Hart recruited Mikal Bridges for a year before the Knicks’ shock trade

Josh Hart has made no secret that he wants his fellow Villanova Wildcat in the orange and blue at some point.

Now it’s a reality.

On Tuesday night, the Knicks completed a blockbuster trade, acquiring Nets guard Mikal Bridges for Bojan Bogdanovic and multiple draft picks in a deal that sent shockwaves throughout the NBA.

But Hart, who was part of the 2016 Villanova team that won the national title with Bridges Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo, had apparently been laying the groundwork to bring his buddy to the Knicks for some time.

On July 1 of last year, Hart not-so-subtly recruited Bridges in an article on X.

” Yeah @mikal_bridges “Call me on the phone, man,” Hart wrote.

And in September, Hart posted a follow-up message.

” Hey @mikal_bridges hit my phone. I want to execute something very quickly,” he posted.

In February, Hart and Brunson invited Bridges on their “Roommates Show” podcast that they host together, and while Bridges was answering a question, Hart took off his white hoodie to reveal a Knicks shirt, sparking the laughter of everyone in the room.

After Hart posted on Instagram two weeks ago about his time in ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Finals, Bridges actually flipped the script of the game.

“Come to the Nets? » commented Bridges.

However, Hart was having none of it.

“@mikalbridges, are you okay?” Hart responded. “If they take you hostage, blink and we’ll save you.”

Tuesday night came full circle and Hart returned to his posts on X starting in 2023.

“YOOOOO @mikal_bridges I FINALLY REACHED MY LINE!!!! » he wrote.

While Heat star Bam Adebayo called out Hart and Brunson for “tampering,” Hart was having none of it.

“Let’s celebrate in peace!” Hart wrote with a crying and laughing emoji.

And they apparently celebrated, having a video chat with Hart, Bridges, DiVincenzo and Brunson on Tuesday night.