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If Mikal Bridges has a big season, Knicks fans should thank the Nets
Although the two teams share a city and division, it’s hard to argue that the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets have a real rivalry. Fans may not take too kindly to each other, but crosstown animosity alone isn’t enough to sustain a fierce competition. For that to happen, both teams need to be good at the same time, and that hasn’t happened much over the last half-century.
Instead, the two squads have enjoyed a frosty relationship over the years, and this is evident with the lack of trades they’ve made together. In fact, there have only been five between the organizations, four of which occurred from 1978-83. The most recent one, however, may prove to be the most impactful as the Knicks received Mikal Bridges while the Nets got a host of draft picks.
In addition to bringing in yet another former Villanova teammate — the Knicks now have four — New York has added a dynamic forward who some believe could be the missing piece for a long-awaited title. And, if Bridges does put them over the top, he says fans should thank none other than the Brooklyn Nets.
On a recent live "Roommates" podcast, which is hosted by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Bridges was asked how he feels about ditching the Nets for the Knicks. At the mere mention of Brooklyn, fans at the event started booing, but Bridges quickly silenced them by praising his time with the other New York team, saying his game grew there, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
“Y’all should appreciate Brooklyn because it made me better,” he said to the crowd.
The stats prove this, as Bridges’ stint there was the best of his career. In the season-plus he played in Brooklyn, he averaged nearly 23 points per game along with 3.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds, which are all well above his career averages.
While the NBA season is still over a month away, Bridges is eager to get going.
“I got the itch right now,” he said. “I’m ready right now. I’m active. It’s been too long.”
And as for teaming up once again with his old college pals? He’s excited for that as well, calling the ‘Nova Knicks “psychos” and adding that he is “happy to be here.”
More must-reads:
- Tom Thibodeau discusses plan for replacing Isaiah Hartenstein
- Are Knicks eyeing a big change with Julius Randle next season?
- The '2024 NBA playoff PPG leaders' quiz
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New NBA Intel Suggests Houston Rockets Could Sign Kevin Durant to Extension Below Max
New NBA intel suggests the Houston Rockets could sign Kevin Durant to an extension below the max. According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, the Rockets may sign Durant to a two-year, $100 million contract. That would be under the max, as Durant can extend with Houston for up to two years, $122 million. One of the best players in NBA history, Durant will make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. “One source who spoke to NBC Sports during Summer League suggested KD might dip to about the $100 million mark for two years, around $10 million a season below the max but still $50 million a season,” Helin wrote. The Rockets traded Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in this year’s NBA Draft and five second-round picks to the Phoenix Suns for Durant, who averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season in 62 games. The future Hall of Famer shot 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line for the Suns, who missed the playoffs. Houston made the postseason last season for the first time since 2020. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round in seven games. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka worked with Durant when the two were with the Brooklyn Nets in 2020-21. They have a strong relationship. A 15-time All-Star, Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 1,123 NBA games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Nets and Suns. He won back-to-back championships and Finals MVPs in 2017 and 2018 with the Warriors. Durant turns 37 in September. He has won only two playoff series (2021, 2023) since leaving the Warriors in 2019. KD is a four-time scoring champion and a one-time MVP.
'Absolutely' - Browns Are Considering Surprising Quarterback Move
It's the Browns. When the Cleveland Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders this April, they had a total of five quarterbacks on their roster between their incoming rookies, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and the injured Deshaun Watson. And despite the kind of confusing nature of their stockpiling so many QBs, it sounds like the team could double-down on the the decision by the time the regular season kicks off. According to The Athletic's Zac Jackson, "the Browns absolutely might keep all four quarterbacks" heading into Cleveland's season opener. While also adding, "No, Shedeur Sanders is not going to start Week 1 for the Browns. But he's put a lot of pressure on his coaches and fellow QBs headed into this week — the biggest week of training camp as the Browns head to Philly." Fans reacted to the reporter's update on X: "At this point it's not even a QB room anymore. It's a pitching rotation now," a user said. "One as a starter, One as a backup, One to hold on field goals, And one listed as a wide receiver for tax purposes," another commented. "[Shedeur Sanders] should be developed and shouldn't be thrown out there week 1 but he should be considered to be put over Gabriel and Pickett," a fan pointed out. "While also finally getting meaningful reps with the 1's." "I'm a Shedeur fan who wants Flacco to start with Shedeur at QB2," another person replied. "Sitting behind a veteran QB can be very valuable, and you know he'd be ready if he had to come off the bench. Just my .02." "This isn't unprecedented," another user posted. "The Patriots kept 4 QBs in the 2000 season. Worked out ok for them. Not saying there's a Brady in their QB room. But if they have 4 guys who they think are NFL worthy (even if none are QB1 right now), they can make it work." The Browns have been bitten by the injury bug thus far in camp with Pickett and Gabriel both dealing with ailments this preseason — opening up a window for Shedeur Sanders to earn his way up the depth chart. Sanders played well in Friday night's debut with a 14-of-23 performance for 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the way to a 30-10 win over Carolina. But head coach Kevin Stefanski says the team in "evaluation mode" when it comes to their QBs.
Mets' slide continues with arguably their worst loss of the season
The New York Mets are trending in the wrong direction, and their slide continued on Sunday with what might have been their worst loss of the season. The Mets not only were on the losing end of a 7-6 walk-off loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, they blew a 5-0 lead in the process and extended their losing streak to seven consecutive games. Even worse, they have lost 11 out of their past 12 games during a time where the Philadelphia Phillies are starting to pull away in the National League East race. The biggest issue for the Mets for most of this slump has been an offense that has gone ice cold. But that wasn't necessarily the problem on Sunday as they pushed six runs across the plate. The problem on Sunday was a rough start for Sean Manaea (four earned runs in four innings) and a bullpen that was unable to hold on to a late lead. Trade-deadline addition Ryan Helsley allowed the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning when he allowed an RBI single to Joey Ortiz. That set the stage for star closer Edwin Diaz to serve up a walk-off home run to Isaac Collins. The Mets are still holding a playoff spot in the National League, but it is getting more uncomfortable by the day. After Sunday's games they are in the third and final wild-card spot in the National League, and only have 1.5 games of cushion between them and the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets had sky-high expectations this season after making the playoffs a year ago and then adding Juan Soto in free agency. While Soto's bat has ended up being everything the Mets hoped it would be, the rest of the offense has struggled in the heat of the summer and now the pressure is only going to keep mounting if they do not get out of this slump soon. With nine of their next 12 games coming against the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals — two of the worst teams in the National League — there is at least an opportunity for them to maybe get back on track. They need to, because after that stretch they have a three-game home series against the Phillies that could go a long way toward determining the path of their season.
Leafs’ Proposed Blockbuster Trade Could Jeopardize Future
A recent trade pitch suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins is undeniably a bold and wild idea. With that in mind, it’s not the kind of trade that makes a ton of sense for Toronto, even if both players are legitimate goal scorers — especially considering what Toronto would have to give up to acquire both players. The likelihood that the Maple Leafs are seeking a trade for both wingers is low to begin with. That they’d be willing to part with a new trade acquisition, one of their more steady defensemen, a high-ceiling winger, and the team’s top prospect is an even more fascinating suggestion. Toronto Isn’t About To Abandon Their Game Plan The suggested trade was as follows: Maple Leafs Acquire: Bryan Rust ($5,125,000) Rickard Rakell ($5,000,000) Penguins Acquire: Nick Robertson ($1,825,000) Jake McCabe ($4,491,898) Matias Maccelli ($3,425,000) Easton Cowan ($873,500) While Rust and Rakell bring impressive goal-scoring credentials — combining for 66 goals last season — the Leafs have just added Matias Maccelli, a promising winger signed to what they hope is a value contract this offseason. On top of that, they’ve invested heavily in Jake McCabe on defense and have Easton Cowan, arguably their best prospect, waiting in the wings. Nick Robertson may be on the move, so his inclusion makes sense, but there’s been no suggestion, whatsoever, that the Leafs are open to moving any of the other three. No doubt, you have to give to get. That said, trading away these useful, cost-controlled assets for veterans like Rust and Rakell seems like a shortsighted mistake. Maccelli’s acquisition signals the Leafs are looking to build with youth, speed, and skill, while McCabe provides a steady defensive presence — something the Maple Leafs desperately need to maintain. Easton Cowan, meanwhile, presents arguably the best future replacement for the offensive output lost with Mitch Marner’s departure. Is There A World In Which Toronto Would Consider This Blockbuster Trade? Never say never. There is no doubt this would be a big swing by Toronto. And, it would add goal scoring in a significant way. That said, given the current roster construction, why would Toronto create obvious holes on their blue line, in the system, and move a player they believe could be a key offensive contributor in Maccelli? This would be GM Brad Treliving mortgaging everything on two Penguins players, who reportedly don’t want to go anywhere — one of whom has an eight-team no-trade clause. This trade screams 2025-25 Cup run, and an attempt to outscore other problems in the present day. Ultimately, this proposed trade serves as an interesting talking point, but it doesn’t quite pass the smell test for a Leafs team focused on a blend of youth and experience heading into the new season.
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