Knicks have aced methodical march toward contention, and Mikal Bridges puts them over the top

In the summer of 2019, the New York Knicks thought they were going to get Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. They didn’t get either. But rather than take the money they had set aside for that duo and start spraying it around irresponsibly on less worthy free agents that would tie up their books for years to come, they pulled back. Gathered their emotions. Signed Julius Randle to a three-year deal, and started filling out their roster over the next few summers with shorter-term contracts that would maximize flexibility moving forward. 

Along the way, they signed Jalen Brunson to what turned out to be the best contract in the league while accumulating eight trade-eligible draft picks for a war chest as richly stocked as any team outside of the Thunder. They tried to use a bunch of those draft picks on Donovan Mitchell, but it didn’t happen. Lucky. Mitchell is great, but the Knicks likely wouldn’t have built the team they have today with him and Brunson battling for creative rights. 

They kept plugging away. Signed Josh Hart. Isaiah Hartenstein. Donte DiVincenzo. Re-signed Mitchell Robinson on another smart contract. Traded for OG Anunoby without giving up any of those treasured picks, leaving more than enough in the bank for a big swing when the right opportunity presented itself. 

It happened late Tuesday night, when the Knicks sent five of those first-round picks (four of their own, all unprotected, plus Milwaukee’s 2025 pick protected for spots 1-4) to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a huge package for Mikal Bridges. 

In a vacuum, Bridges, who’s a very good player but has never made an All-Star team, isn’t worth five first-round picks plus another pick swap. But in the context of this Knicks team, he is. The fit is incredible, and now that OG Anunoby is re-signed, New York looks like a legit contender.

Honestly, look at this defensive lineup: Anunoby, Bridges and Josh Hart/Donte DiVincenzo on the perimeter, pressuring the ball, switching all over the court, backed up by Robinson, an elite rim protector. Where have you seen…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/knicks-have-aced-methodical-march-toward-contention-and-mikal-bridges-puts-them-over-the-top/

Author : Brad Botkin

Publish date : 2024-06-28 17:33:46

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