The New York Knicks' whopping trade for Mikal Bridges was essentially their all-in move to challenge for the Eastern Conference.
The trade gives the Knicks two elite wing defenders in Bridges and OG Anunoby. The Knicks now flank Jalen Brunson with several tough, two-way wings. And they'll bring back Julius Randle, who despite being an imperfect fit, gives the Knicks a different dimension on offense.
Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix called the Knicks a "winner" in his NBA free agency recap, saying they are positions to challenge the Boston Celtics.
"They also got a lot better defensively, with the versatile Bridges joining OG Anunoby and Josh Hart as sturdy wing defenders New York can throw at Boston. After finishing 10th in defensive efficiency last season, the Knicks can expect to get a whole lot better ... The Knicks are eight deep with versatile, playoff-ready players and are as well positioned as any team to challenge the Celtics in the East."
There is a case to be made that the Knicks are the biggest threat to the Celtics in the East.
New York, after all, won 50 games and finished second in the East last season, despite a season-ending injury to Randle in January and Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson missing significant time with injuries.
The Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, then took the Indiana Pacers to seven games, all while losing Anunoby, Robinson, and Bojan Bogdanovic to injuries. Josh Hart and Brunson also played through injuries in the second round.
Had the Knicks been healthy, many thought they would face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Now, the Knicks return with a top eight that somewhat resembles the Celtics. The combination of Bridges and Anunoby not only matches up with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown; both players can switch onto Celtics guards or their big men.
The Knicks could even play like the Celtics with a small, five-out lineup.
Randle has set his sights on the Celtics, saying during the NBA Finals that the Knicks will hope to challenge Boston next season.
There's a long way to go until the Knicks can find out if they're ready to challenge the Celtics. But expectations have certainly been raised for New York this season.
