The Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks may play in the same state, but they are far from rivals. Even so, the Nets have done a great job putting the Knicks into a bind.
Bridges was a key member of last season's Knicks team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals, their best season in 25 years. That being said, the Knicks clearly overpaid to acquire him.
They gave up a staggering five first-round picks in the deal to land Bridges, which raised eyebrows at the time, but Knicks fans were just happy to have a stacked roster. The trade has paid off on the court, but it has also hamstrung them too.
New York then chased a bad decision by giving Bridges a 4-year, $150 million extension. That was likely agreed to after acquiring him and suddenly makes the Knicks' situation far worse.
The Nets have sabotaged the Knicks' chances of contending
Being out five firsts, six if you include the pick they gave up in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, is a huge problem for New York. They can't make another big trade, say for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Or, at the very least, to make smaller moves to bolster their roster. To the Knicks' credit, they did make several solid moves to solve their depth issues. That includes New York adding Jordan Clarkson for the veteran minimum and Guerschon Yabusele.
That should give the Knicks at least nine reliable rotation players, meaning they won't have to overrely on players such as Bridges. Fewer minutes should hopefully yield better results. Still, the Knicks will inevitably run into problems as a byproduct of the Bridges trade.
The Knicks' rumored pursuit of the Milwaukee Bucks superstar becomes virtually impossible without a tradeable first-round pick. They'd have to get incredibly creative by trading Bridges or Karl-Anthony Towns for the assets needed to make a Giannis deal happen but that's a pipe dream thanks to the Nets
Ultimately, the Knicks will basically be regretting trading five first-round picks to the Nets for Bridges. That move, and signing him to a massive extension, might've made them better but might keep them from reaching the next level.