Mikal Bridges is a Knick — just maybe six years later than he thought.
The New York Knicks swung a blockbuster trade for Bridges, bringing the elite 3-and-D wing across the river from Brooklyn.
Bridges had his official introductory press conference with the Knicks on Tuesday and admitted that he thought he was going to be drafted to the Knicks with the ninth overall pick in 2018.
"Very excited to play at the Garden," Bridges told reporters. "Kind of thought I’d be here in 2018, that No. 9 [pick]."
The Knicks had the ninth pick in the 2018 draft. They ultimately chose Kentucky forward Kevin Knox. Bridges was take with the 10th pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, but was traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night.
On Tuesday, Bridges recalled sitting in the green room on draft night, seeing the Knicks pick approaching and thinking it was his time.
"'Okay, about to go play in MSG, it's about that time, I love it there,'" Bridges said on Tuesday, recalling his thoughts on draft night.
"I thought there was a chance, honestly, I really thought I was going there."
The 2018 draft also featured Bridges' Villanova teammates Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. DiVincenzo was taken with the 17th pick by the Milwaukee Bucks and Brunson went in the second round, 33rd overall, to the Dallas Mavericks.
Bridges instead spent four-and-a-half seasons with the Suns, evolving into one of the NBA's best defensive wings and a reliable three-point shooter. He was then traded to the Nets in the Kevin Durant deal in 2022. In Brooklyn, Bridges got to show off an expanded offensive game as the Nets' go-to scorer. After an extremely productive and efficient start in Brooklyn, Bridges' struggled as the lead option last year.
Now, Bridges is reunited with the "Nova Knicks" and could become the missing piece to push the Knicks toward championship contention.
