Former Brooklyn Nets guard Theo Pinson called out Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges for acting like they didn’t know that the New York Knicks were trading for Bridges this offseason.
Yo @jalenbrunson1 and @mikal_bridges will you two stop it yall knew this was happening
— Theo pinson (@tpinsonn) June 26, 2024
The Knicks moved forward Bojan Bogdanovic and a package of draft picks to the Nets in exchange for Bridges, who played in college at Villanova University with Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Now, all four players are reunited in New York.
BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets have agreed in principle on a trade to send F Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/TEGsIpoa3b
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Following the news of the trade breaking, both Bridges and Brunson reacted in shock on social media.
This is crazy lol
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) June 26, 2024
Omg
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) June 26, 2024
It was reported by SNY’s Ian Begley that Bridges informed the Nets that he wanted to play for the Knicks. New York’s massive offer apparently was enough to push things across the finish line.
The Mikal Bridges deal came together quickly after Bridges informed the Nets that he wanted to be a Knick. Bridges was prepared to sign with NYK and his side was prepared to use that leverage to keep other teams from trading for him, per SNY sources.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2024
Later on, Bridges went back on social media sharing that he doesn’t have the “pull” to make a deal like the one to the Knicks happen.
And yall mfs really think i got pull like that lol please be fr😭
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) June 26, 2024
Regardless if the former Villanova teammates knew this deal was happening or not, they are now all in a unique position where they can play together for the Knicks and bring a title to the franchise.
New York was the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2023-24 season, but injuries derailed the team’s run in the playoffs. The Knicks lost in Game 7 of the second round to the Indiana Pacers, but they played the entire postseason without All-Star forward Julius Randle and lost forward OG Anunoby during the series to a hamstring injury.
By adding Bridges, the Knicks are getting yet another versatile wing defender that should give them enough depth to combat some of the injuries that they dealt with in the 2023-24 season.
Pinson played for both the Nets and Knicks during his NBA career, most recently playing for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 season.
He also has history against the Villanova crew in college, as the Wildcats beat Pinson and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2016 national title game.
The Knicks are hoping that by adding Bridges that they’ll be able to compete for a title and challenge the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference next season.
