Nets' Mikal Bridges makes an ironic confession about his childhood favorite athlete

As it turns out, the forward's hero was the person he got traded for, which must be awkward, but at least he's making light of the situation. Since Bridges arrived in Brooklyn, he has been transparent about his understanding of the nature of the business, especially with a trade of this magnitude. 

"It's KD; I get it. I 100 percent get it. Like you're getting Kevin Durant," Bridges told reporters in his introductory news conference. "I'd probably make that trade too." 

Bridges further discussed his trade experience on JJ Redick's "The Old Man and the Three" podcast. He revealed to Redick that he knew it was a possibility he could get dealt to Brooklyn since the summer when Durant initially requested a trade. 

However, Bridges wasn't thinking about a trade around the deadline and was excited about the Suns' stretch run once the roster was healthy. He believes Phoenix is weaker defensively without him, but he admits the reconstructed roster is impressive.

'You've got coach Mont [Monty Williams] that's going to make everything great," Bridges said. "And we all play for each other, or they all play for each other, but then also you get 30 a game [with Durant]. Now I'm looking at them like, I like them." 

While Phoenix may have boosted its title odds, Bridges has an excellent opportunity to flourish in Brooklyn, one he's already seizing. In three games with the Nets, he has averaged 25 points per game and tallied a career-high 45 points, shooting 70.8% from the field in his last game.