Some of the New York Knicks are still processing the Mikal Bridges trade.
The Knicks made one of the biggest swings of the NBA offseason, sending out five first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for the elite 3-and-D wing.
It was a steep price to pay, but Bridges not only forms an elite defensive wing tandem with OG Anunoby, he can space the floor and should act as a second or third scoring option. And with his Villanova connection with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, he should easily slot right in on the "Nova Knicks."
The deal is still surreal for the "Nova Knicks." DiVincenzo told Sam Israel of CBS 6 Albany that the trade seems not "believable."
"It's not even believable, to be honest with you," DiVincenzo said. "It's not a situation where we tried to go out and do it, we talked about it. It's never been like that. Everybody kinda just went along with their own path and ended up back with each other.
"So, we're here to try to win as many games as possible."
Brunson and Hart had made similar comments on their "Roommates" podcast earlier this summer, saying that although they had publicly joked about landing Bridges last year, they never thought it would really happen.
Now, a group of players who won a college championship together and seem to be legitimately close friends are all on the same NBA team, nearly a decade later.
The trio of Brunson, DiVincenzo, and Hart have helped change the Knicks' culture. The three players played huge minutes during the Knicks' playoff run and won over fans with their effort and tenacity on the court. Now, they add Bridges, who is likely the second-best scorer and creator and the best defender of the four of them.
Bridges has said he has natural chemistry with his former Villanova teammates, something the Knicks will hope immediately translates to the court next fall.
