After an incredible 2023-24 NBA season, where the New York Knicks seemed to take it to another level while point guard Jalen Brunson became a legitimate superstar and the face of the franchise, the team’s brass wasn’t content with its squad and was determined to make some changes.
That initial change was pulling off a blockbuster trade with the crosstown-rival Brooklyn Nets to acquire forward Mikal Bridges, adding another former Villanova star into the mix, which seems to be a winning formula right now.
The trade to bring in Bridges sent shockwaves throughout the league, as no one saw it coming.
No one was more relieved with the trade than Bridges himself as he went from a struggling franchise on the verge of rebuilding to a team that could potentially be a legitimate title contender heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.
“In the beginning, it was tough in Brooklyn,” Bridges said. “We were losing. Even personally, I didn’t handle it as well as I could have. I always preach mental toughness and never losing your spirit, but it was just something I never dealt with like that.”
Mikal Bridges says he didn’t handle the losing in Brooklyn as well as he should have pic.twitter.com/crwTxK1QJU
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) October 1, 2024
Fortunately for Bridges, there’s a very good chance he can put the losing behind him, as the Knicks didn’t stop at just adding him to the roster, as they also recently traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Knicks now have already one of the most intimidating starting fives in the league and could be the toughest competition for the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference as a result.
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