What's next for the Knicks after Mikal Bridges trade

06/26/2024 10:49 AM

The New York Knicks just pushed their chips to the center of the table. New York added Mikal Bridges, sending a number of future draft picks and Bojan Bogdanovic to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the rising star. Bridges is an elite three-and-D player, and he likely represents the Knicks’ "final piece". But there are still so many questions to be asked. Just how good does this move make New York? Can the Knicks successfully steer clear of the Collective Bargaining Agreement's (CBA) dreaded second apron? How does this trade impact the Knicks' draft strategy? Let's explore all of the implications.

How good are the Knicks?

The Knicks ended the 2023-24 season with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Their success came despite suffering injuries to Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson. Adding Bridges, who is on a fair deal that pays him just $23.3 million in 2024-25, most definitely catapults them to the upper echelon of the entire NBA.

But can they win a championship? It's entirely possible. The only team in the East that looks as good or better is the Boston Celtics. And consider how well the two teams match up: Jrue Holiday vs. Jalen Brunson; Derrick White vs. Bridges; Jayson Tatum vs. OG Anunoby; Jaylen Brown vs. Julius Randle; Kristaps Porzingis vs. Mitchell Robinson; Kevin Pritchard vs. Miles McBride; Sam Hauser vs. Donte DiVincenzo; and Al Horford vs. Josh Hart.

The Knicks are now a very long, defensively-minded team. Assuming they re-sign Anunoby, they have two of the best wing defenders in the entire NBA. Given the defensive versatility of Bridges and Anunoby, they are better prepared to take on the Celtics (and really any team) than anyone.

Of course, we'll have to see how their synergy plays out. Granted, Bridges knows how to play alongside Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo. But how will he fit with everyone else? It's fair to assume that Bridges plugs in nicely, but the proof is in the pudding.

Can the Knicks steer clear of the second apron?

You might notice a few missing pieces (above). Trading for Bridges pushes the Knicks beyond the CBA's first apron. Re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein would almost certainly put them over the second apron, and the second apron is very punitive.

So, New York will likely do everything in their power to remain below it. Of course, the Knicks will do their absolute best to re-sign Anunoby. But Hartenstein (and Achiuwa) are more difficult to justify. New York should consider replacing one or both in the draft. Despite sending out virtually all of their own future first-round picks, the Knicks managed to keep all of their 2024 draft capital. So, they still have three picks to use.

What do the Knicks do next?

First of all, New York still has to formalize the re-signing of Anunoby. Let's assume that's a done deal (for now). Beyond Anunoby, the Knicks have some work to do.

First, it looks like Robinson is the Knicks' only reliable big man. But Robinson has been notoriously injury-prone throughout his six-year career. New York could get creative, trading Robinson for little to no salary (and draft picks) in an attempt to re-sign Hartenstein. But that still leaves the Knicks with only one big man.

Therefore, New York must use at least one draft pick on a center. And it could lead to them packaging two of their three picks to move up for a particular big man (e.g., Purdue's Zach Edey).

All of a sudden, the noise around Ryan Dunn seems less meaningful. Their wing rotation should include Bridges, Anunoby, Randle, and Hart. Does coach Tom Thibodeau want to add another (rookie) wing? Unlikely.

Finally, who is that second creator New York desperately needed in the 2024 playoffs? Bridges is an incredible shooter and defender. But he's not someone who creates for himself and others. Granted, New York doesn't have to accomplish this in the draft. But like every team in the NBA, New York is trying to avoid that second apron. So, it's easier to justify adding another playmaker in the draft than in free agency.

This is the move that Knicks fans have been clamoring for. Bridges is a selfless player who fits in any lineup. He's a great shooter. He's a great defender. And he's incredibly resilient, having played in 474 consecutive games. The Knicks must now quickly turn their attention to the NBA Draft. But this deal feels like the Knicks’ biggest opportunity to win a championship in decades. And that's pretty exciting.

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