Josh Hart's efforts to recruit Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks finally paid off.
The Knicks swung a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, reportedly sending Bojan Bogdanovic, five first-round picks, a pick swap, and second round pick for the versatile 3-and-D swingman.
Could it have been done without Hart?
The Knicks forward — who was college teammates with Bridges at Villanova, alongside Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo — repeatedly teased Bridges and not-so-subtly recruited him throughout the 2023-24 season.
Bridges was a guest on Hart and Brunson's "Roommates" podcast during the season. During one part of the conversation, Hart randomly took off his sweatshirt to reveal a Knicks' warmup. While Brunson cracked up, Bridges cracked that it "magically got hot" in the room.
@basketballlyfeclips Josh Hart just tryna make mikal feel left out 🤣🤣#roomates #roommatesshow #jalenbrunson #mikalbridges #joshhart #nba #fyp ♬ original sound - BasketballLyfeClips
Hart also compared Bridges playing on the Nets to the "SpongeBob" meme of Squidward looking out his window.
Great minds think alike @joshhart https://t.co/AxDrsjejn2 pic.twitter.com/wnh5TS7y5X
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) March 23, 2024
There have been several other social media back-and-forths. When Bridges took to X (formerly Twitter) about wanting to run routes, Hart directed him to Madison Square Garden.
Between W 31st and W 33rd St….want me to set things up for you? https://t.co/nYN8jE8GDW
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 13, 2024
Hart also joked about the Nets holding Bridges hostage.
Mikal Bridges blinked. pic.twitter.com/Qv8v3KpKIV
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) June 26, 2024
Now, Hart, Brunson, and DiVincenzo have gotten their man. Hart took to X on Tuesday to celebrate the trade, showing the "Nova Knicks" all FaceTiming.
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 26, 2024
The Knicks paid a big price for Bridges, but he is a malleable 3-and-D wing who seemingly fits perfectly into what the Knicks do on the floor. And he should certainly fit well into the locker room.
