NBA Trades: Grading the jaw-dropping Knicks-Nets blockbuster trade

On Tuesday night, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets shocked the basketball world when they agreed to a blockbuster trade less than 24 hours before the 2024 NBA Draft. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Knicks and the Nets agreed to a trade that will send Mikal Bridges across the bridge (no pun intended) to Madison Square Garden. 

According to Woj, the Knicks will send Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031), a 2025 protected first-rounder via the Milwaukee Bucks, a 2028 unprotected pick swap, and a 2025 second-rounder to the Nets in exchange for Bridges and 2026 second-round pick. 

The Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of a rebuild but it was still a surprise to see them trade Bridges to their crosstown rival after expressing their desire to build a team around him. For the Knicks, this move is a clear indication the franchise is all-in and looking to build off last season’s success.

While this trade solves a few riddles, it also creates questions. Will the Nets look to trade Nic Claxton next? How does the addition of Mikal Bridges affect New York’s determination and ability to retain Og Anunoby in free agency?

Before we get to those questions let’s take a look at how this trade affects each franchise as they currently stand. Without further ado, it’s time to grade the trade.