The Knicks may have finally found their groove as a group, but the same core that helped fuel that run could also run into the hard edge of the salary sheet. That’s where Mikal Bridges enters the conversation.
Bridges, who joined New York in 2024, completed the Villanova reunion with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. The three already had a built-in connection from their college days, and that chemistry has become part of the Knicks’ identity.
“By now, the story of the ‘Nova Knicks is almost allegorical. Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson played together in college at Villanova and then reunited in New York.
The tale might be a little saccharine if it weren’t important. There are many reasons the Knicks have gone on a dominant playoff run this spring, but their history together surely makes the list.
Building a champion is a work of alchemy, and chemistry matters,” The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov wrote.
NBA.com also noted the significance of Bridges landing in New York after the trade from Brooklyn.
“Mikal Bridges is being traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks, where he will join Jalen Brunson and his other former Villanova teammates. The first trade between the New York rivals since 1983 will put Bridges in the lineup alongside Brunson, Josh Hart,” NBA.com wrote.
Even with that bond in place, Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney pointed to Bridges as a possible name to move if New York has to create more financial flexibility.
“Mikal Bridges. (Remaining contract: four years, $150 million.)
It would make sense for the Knicks to give them flexibility going forward, so we’ll slide him on this list. But the Knicks appear determined to try to hammer the team under the second apron for as long as it can-there will be a breaking point, though,” Deveney wrote.
That kind of move would not sit well with Brunson or Hart, but the Knicks would still be making a decision based on the long view. Bridges is a dependable shooter and an even stronger defender, the kind of player who can matter to almost any roster.
If New York does end up breaking up the trio, it would be a business decision the team would rather avoid.
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