The New York Knicks made a blockbuster trade on eve of the 2024 NBA Draft to bolster their chances of contending for a championship.
The deal? The Knicks acquired star wing Mikal Bridges and a 2026 second-round pick from the Nets in exchange for the following:
- Bojan Bogdanovic
- Four unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031
- Bucks top-four protected first-round pick
- 2025 second-round pick (via Brooklyn)
- 2028 unprotected pick swap
The trade sent shockwaves through the NBA, and reunited Bridges with three of his former Villanova teammates: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. It also raised questions about pending free agent OG Anunoby's future and whether Bridges was worth the combined six future first-round assets (five picks, one pick swap) New York sent to neighboring Brooklyn in the deal.
The latter question was exacerbated by concerns about the length remaining on Bridges' contract. He only has two years remaining on his more-than-reasonable four-year contract, so he will soon need to sign another lucrative extension.
Here's what to know about Bridges' contract and why the Knicks were willing to deal so many picks for him.
MORE: Mikal Bridges full trade details | Knicks cap space
Mikal Bridges contract details
Bridges is in the third season of a four-year, $90.9 million extension he signed with the Suns in 2021. He spent only part of the first year of his deal with Phoenix before being sent to the Nets as part of the Kevin Durant trade in February 2023.
The Nets paid the rest of Bridges' 2022-23 salary and all of it for the 2023-24 season. The Knicks will now inherit the final two years of the deal, which are worth a combined $48.2 million, per Spotrac.com.
Below is a full breakdown of Bridges' contract:
| Season | Salary |
| 2022-23 | $21 million |
| 2023-24 | $21.7 million |
| 2024-25 | $23.3 million |
| 2025-26 | $24.9 million |
| Total | $90.9 million |
Bridges will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2025-26 NBA season. He won't turn 30 until late during the 2026 offseason, which should put him in prime position to cash in on a lucrative contract on the open market — provided he doesn't ink an extension with the Knicks first.
MORE: NBA world reacts to trade that strengthened the 'Villanova Knicks'
Why did the Knicks trade so much for Mikal Bridges?
Considering that Bridges is only under contract for two years with the Knicks, giving up control of six first-round assets to acquire him may seem like a lot.
At the same time, there's a lot to like about Bridges' fit with the Knicks. He has been an effective scorer in the NBA, shooting an efficient 48 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range during his career. The Knicks needed another consistent shooter to take some pressure off Brunson after ranking 14th in 3-point shooting last year, so Bridges will help as a wingman to his former Villanova teammate.
Speaking of which, Bridges played collegiately with Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo, giving Bridges instant chemistry with his new squad. That should allow him to seamlessly transition into the roster, especially given that his elite-level defense and solid 3-point shooting already made him a natural fit on any NBA team.
It's also worth noting that Bridges was overburdened in Brooklyn as the team's No. 1 option. He has shot-creation skills stemming from his time as the team's top offensive player, but he was at his best in Phoenix when he was able to play off the ball and set up for open shots from the perimeter. He should have more space to operate in New York, so he could see his 19.6 points per game average from last season increase.
Add in Bridges' durability — he has played all possible games over the last three seasons — and his defensive skills and he could become a favorite of coach Tom Thibodeau in short order.
Bridges may not be a No. 1 guy on a championship-caliber team, but he will be in the perfect role as either the No. 2 or No. 3 option for the Knicks. His presence should help further establish them as a top defensive team and one that could legitimately challenge the Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
And that alone probably makes surrendering the assets to acquire Bridges worth it — even if he is only under contract for two more seasons.
NOH: Grading the Mikal Bridges trade for the Knicks, Nets
Knicks draft picks
Even after trading for Bridges, the Knicks still have a solid amount of draft assets at their disposal. They have three picks in Wednesday's 2024 NBA Draft, including two first-rounders, and several picks in the ensuing years despite their deal with the Nets.
Below is a look at New York's draft capital through 2030.
| Year | Round | From | Protections? |
| 2024 | 1 | Mavericks | No protections |
| 2024 | 1 | Own | — |
| 2024 | 2 | Jazz | No protections |
| 2025 | 1 | Pistons | Protected 1-13 |
| 2025 | 1 | Wizards | Protected 1-10 |
| 2025 | 2 | Pistons | Protected 31-55 |
| 2026 | 1 | Own | — |
| 2026 | 2 | Nets | No protections |
| 2027 | 2 | Own | — |
| 2028 | 1 | Own or Nets* | Nets own right to unprotected pick swap |
| 2028 | 2 | Pacers or Suns | No protections |
| 2029 | 2 | Pacers or Wizards | No protections |
| 2030 | 1 | Own | — |
| 2030 | 2 | Own | — |
Sure, keeping three picks in what is considered a weak 2024 draft class may not be ideal for the Knicks, but they still got one of the best trade candidates in the league.
With the team finally in contention for a championship, it makes sense for New York to go all-in and acquire a talented, in-his-prime player like Bridges.
