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The New York Knicks have one of the most clear-cut starting lineups in the NBA, although in an effort to bolster their depth, they might have to trade one of those key players.
Between Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns, the New York Knicks have one of the most concrete starting lineups in the NBA.
For the past several seasons, their lack of depth has been the main criticism surrounding their roster construction, although New York added Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele this summer. Add in Miles McBride and a healthy Mitchell Robinson, and the Knicks could easily be the best team in the East.
However, after signing a four-year, $150 million contract extension, Bridges could be moved, and in an effort to have the most well-rounded roster in the league, the Knicks might trade him before the deadline.
Mikal Bridges can easily be traded, although the Knicks might not bite
The Knicks gave up five first-round picks to snag Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets last summer, and after investing their future in the swingman, trading him away for significantly less than they got him would not be the best look.
That said, the East is wide open, and if New York believes it can bolster the roster by flipping him, the chance to capitalize is now.
“As far as flexibility at the roster goes, is that Mikal Bridges signing this extension when he did, means that he can be traded before the trade deadline,” explained Tim Bontemps. “He’ll come up a few days before the February trade deadline. Not saying he’s going to get traded in February, but it is worth pointing out when you talk about moves the Knicks could make, that that is something that’s important.”
With pressure to show that their investment in Bridges paid off, the Knicks won’t flip him unless they get a massive haul.
On top of that, their suitors will be few and far between. The Knicks will not trade one of their best players to an Eastern Conference rival, lest they meet him in the opening round of the playoffs, and most of the Western Conference already has its roster firmly in place, so the options are limited.
However, the Knicks could send Bridges to a defensive-minded team on the rise, where he would fit in swimmingly.
Mock trade sends Bridges to Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, under head coach Chauncey Billups, are quietly one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and with youngsters Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, and Yang Hansen all on the roster, the biggest area of need is a 3-and-D wing.
Both Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant fit the bill, although Grant is aging and there is a strong chance that Avdija’s success last year was based on Portland’s situation, not his actual talent.
By adding Bridges long-term to their young core, the Blazers pick up the most reliable player in the NBA.
Full Mock Trade Details:
- Knicks receive: Scoot Henderson, Matisse Thybulle, 2028 first-round pick (via ORL), 2028 first-round pick (MIL swap rights), 2030 first-round pick (MIL swap rights), 2032 first-round pick (top-ten protected)
- Trail Blazers receive: Mikal Bridges
The Knicks get back a whopping four first-round picks. Granted, the pick courtesy of the Orlando Magic and the 2032 selection might not be worth a whole lot, although the two swaps with the Bucks are some of the most valuable assets in the NBA. By 2030, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be 35 years old, and there is no guarantee he will stay in Milwaukee long-term, anyway.
Henderson, meanwhile, forms an athletic, young backcourt with McBride and allows Clarkson to play off-ball a little. Thybulle’s health is questionable, but when he plays, he is one of the best on-ball defenders in the entire NBA, which is exactly the type of player Mike Brown could use in the playoffs.
This deal is a slight overpay for the Blazers, although the Knicks are expected to drive a hard bargain, and would realistically only entertain a trade if they got off to a slow and disappointing start to the season.
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