THE The New York Knicks“The trade for Mikal Bridges was one of the blockbuster moves of the NBA offseason.
It is largely thanks to this move that the Knicks are considered potential championship contenders this season (that, and a potential healthy entire roster, something the Knicks didn’t have during last year’s playoffs).
And yet, the NBA world seems to somewhat downplay the impact Bridges is expected to have on the Knicks this season.
After all, much of the talk after the trade was about how much money the Knicks gave up for someone “who did not make an All-Star team” . “
Athletics John Hollinger Ranks the Knicks below the The Philadelphia 76ers And Milwaukee Bucks due to the lack of stars (a fair point, because Bridges, in a vacuum, is not as good as the stars on either team).
On the The Action Network Podcast “Buckets”Analyst Matt Moore said he’s not sure Bridges will do much to raise the Knicks’ ceiling.
“I don’t know what’s most interesting about Mikal,” Moore said, adding: “I don’t know what Mikal brings to the team that makes it better than last year. He reinforces what was good about them, but I don’t know if he makes them better.”
The role of bridges is changing radically
Part of the problem with analyzing Bridges’ fit is that Bridges is expected to play a new role with the Knicks.
The story of Bridges’ career so far is the massive role change he underwent when he was traded from the Phoenix Suns At Brooklyn Nets.
With the Suns, Bridges was a classic three-point and defensive wing, harassing opposing guards and wings while shooting three-pointers, running in transition and making off-the-ball cuts. He occasionally had opportunities to create with the ball in his hands, but from 2020 to 2022, Bridges ranked fourth in shot attempts per game on the Suns.
Then, when he was traded to the Nets as part of the 2023 Kevin Durant trade, Bridges became a No. 1 option overnight. Bridges was suddenly tasked with handling the ball better and creating his own shot. During his season and a half in Brooklyn, Bridges led the Nets in shot attempts.
In 4.5 seasons in Phoenix, Bridges had a usage percentage of 14.7%. In 1.5 seasons with the Nets, Bridges’ usage jumped to 25.7%.
Bridges initially thrived in that primary creator role in 2022-23, surprising even his biggest fans, but he struggled last season, looking overmatched as the No. 1 option on a nightly basis.
Bridges combines both roles with the Knicks
The idea that Bridges won’t do it add For the Knicks, it’s a puzzling question. In a league where teams can’t have enough forwards who can shoot three-pointers, make plays with the ball, And Playing top-tier defense, the Knicks just added one of the best in the entire NBA.
Now, with the Knicks, Bridges is expected to combine those two roles. And it may be the one he’s best suited for.
If Bridges was overworked as a No. 1 option with the Nets, and too good to be a fourth option in Phoenix, then he should thrive as a No. 2/3 option with the Knicks this year — call him the 2.5 option!
Assuming Bridges starts at the sophomore guard spot, he’ll play a role more akin to the one he held in Phoenix. Playing alongside two ball-dominant players in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, Bridges will need to space the floor and be ready to catch and shoot. When defenders turn their backs on him to focus on Brunson or Randle, he can cut into the back door to score easy baskets.
If Bridges receives a kick-out pass, he can also attack the close-out, drive the ball and reach the basket or his lethal shot at the free throw line.
Of course, Bridges now has experience playing as a No. 1 option, so he can also make life easier for Brunson and Randle. Bridges can play pick-and-rolls with either of those two players and face fewer defenders than he did in Brooklyn, when defenses focused on him. He might be able to provide Brunson and Randle with catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Bridges’ experience as a No. 1 option should also translate when the Knicks play with their backups. Bridges will likely get a chance to be a top playmaker in the Knicks’ reserve unitsBridges can bolster those units with his own shot creation, playing alongside former Villanova teammates Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. It’s easy to imagine those three players feasting against opposing teams’ second units.
And because Bridges will be playing a less restrictive offensive role, it will allow him to play harder on defense (where he arguably fell short the last two seasons in Brooklyn). Bridges gives the Knicks a better option against smaller, faster guards than OG Anunoby. Bridges, with his long arms, quick feet and excellent screen navigation, should fare better against players like Tyrese Maxey, who was too fast for Anunoby in last year’s playoffs.
Add it all up and you have the makings of one of the NBA’s best role players, a player who can play a big role, but at a superstar level. That’s part of why the Knicks sacrificed so much to get him: There are only a handful of elite 3-and-D players in the league. The Knicks have one who can also take over on offense when called upon.
Not only does he enrich the Knicks’ backcourt, he should raise their ceiling, in part because he will ease the burden on other supporting players.
