The Knicks’ opponents are already trying to take them down now that they’ve won another Villanova University National Championship.
Heat center Bam Adebayo posted on X shortly after the Mikal Bridges trade was reported on Tuesday night. To tell“You guys cheated,” he said, blaming Bridges’ former Villanova University teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.
“Let’s celebrate in peace!” Hart replied:.
Bridges reportedly had been pushing for a trade to the winning Knicks before making the blockbuster trade that sent five first-round picks and Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets.
While other contender teams are trying to ruin the Knicks’ win, Adebayo certainly seems to have reason to think the Knicks’ behavior was inappropriate.
In September 2023, Hart and Brunson teased that Bridges was in Brooklyn, with Hart particularly noting in the Instagram comments section that he was ready to bail him out.
In July 2023, Hart also posted a plea for X to send a message to Bridges.
“Hey @mikal_bridges called my phone. We just need to talk,” he posted to X.
Hart praised X for the bold move, Saying that, “YOOOO @mikal_bridges I finally said my line!!!!!”
Bridges was a frequent subject of discussion and occasionally appeared on camera as a guest on “The Roommates Show,” a show featuring Hart, Bridges and fellow Villanova alumnus Donte DiVincenzo.
Bridges first appeared in Episode 2they began mocking the Nets for playing second fiddle to New York.
“New York, no matter what happens, no matter how good the Nets get, it always will be. It’s the city of the Knicks,” Brunson told Bridges, who agreed.
Shortly after the trade, the Knicks’ new Villanova University core of four gathered in a big FaceTime call to process the shock and joy of the deal.
While the Knicks will likely be investigated for possible wrongdoing, as they did after signing Brunson in 2022, teams rarely face large fines.
The Knicks lost a second-round pick in 2025 for Brunson’s misconduct, a relatively minor penalty for acquiring a player of Brunson’s stature, while Lakers vice president Rob Pelinka was fined $500,000 for his role in illegally recruiting Paul George.
According to the NBA’s latest CBA, executives found guilty of wrongdoing could be fined up to $5 million and teams could lose draft capital.
Under NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s decision, players could be fined up to $10 million and suspended.
Adebayo may not be happy that the Knicks acquired his star friend, but there are plenty of others who are happy.
Former Villanova University coach and two-time national champion Jay Wright celebrated the signing.
“We’re lucky to have the guys together. Nobody gets an opportunity like this in the NBA,” Wright said on X. “We’ve got a lot of work to do!! Let’s hang in there!!”
