Nets rising star forward Mikal Bridges was incredible in Game 1 against the 76ers, pouring in 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting despite a 20-point loss.
Bridges has looked like a franchise cornerstone and No. 1 option since being traded to the Nets in the deal that sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix, averaging a career-best 26.1 points per game.
As you watch the 26-year-old flourish in his first postseason as the go-to guy, it's easy to forget that Bridges could have been a member of the 76ers to start his NBA career.
While hindsight is always 20-20, The Sporting News takes a look back at the confusing draft night trade that sent Bridges from Philadelphia to Phoenix just moments after he was selected by his hometown franchise.
MORE: 76ers vs. Nets schedule: Updated scores, results & bracket
Mikal Bridges trade details: Revisiting 76ers-Suns deal from 2018 NBA Draft
- Suns receive: Mikal Bridges
- 76ers receive: Zhaire Smith, 2021 first-round pick
With the 10th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the 76ers selected Mikal Bridges, a 3-and-D prospect out of Philadelphia-based Villanova University.
Bridges grew up in Philadelphia and won two National Championships at Villanova. His mother was even an employee of the 76ers at the time, getting drafted into a dream scenario to stay close to home.
Unfortunately for Bridges, he didn't remain a member of his hometown team for long. Moments later, he was traded to the Suns on draft night for Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith (who was selected by Phoenix with the 16th pick) and a future 2021 first-round pick.
MORE: NBA award finalists 2023: Full list of candidates for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and more
Smith was a two-way star during his lone season at Texas Tech but a fractured foot and bad bone bruise in his knee prevented his NBA career from ever getting off the ground. He only played 13 regular season games over two seasons and has not returned to an NBA court since.
The 76ers ended up trading the Suns' 2021 first-round pick in a package to the Clippers in 2019 to land Tobias Harris.
Bridges, on the other hand, has turned into one of the most promising young players in the NBA today. He has revolutionized his game since being traded to the Nets in the Kevin Durant deal, averaging 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
Mikal Bridges speaks on his 2018 NBA Draft day trade
Just before the Nets-76ers first-round playoff series, Bridges jumped on Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner's podcast "Point Forward" to talk through the emotions of being traded from his hometown team minutes after being drafted.
"To experience something where like, you dreamed your whole life, and like, human nature just comes over and just takes it away. I was pissed off," Bridges began.
"My whole life I wanted to get drafted. I didn't think top 10, ever. That wasn't my dream, like, go top 10. I went top 10 and I was pissed off.
"I couldn't control my emotions. I was so mad. Even after, everyone went out, I'm in my hotel room, like, 'f— this.' I was hot," he continued.
"It took me days to realize after, but that night, I was pretty pissed off."
Mikal Bridges on 76ers drafting him & then trading him on draft night:
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 14, 2023
"I went top 10 & was pissed off. I couldn't control my emotions I was so mad. Even after everyone went out, I'm in my hotel room like f*** this. I was hot."
Via @PointForward pic.twitter.com/hYbhK2JUKC
