The New York Knicks seem to be very fond of the NBA’s Villanova University players.
The Knicks have reportedly agreed to a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that will bring Mikal Bridges, who was a teammate of Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo at Villanova, to Madison Square Garden in a blockbuster deal.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, in the first trade between the two teams since 1983, the Knicks are sending veteran forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and one second-round pick in exchange for Bridges.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson (No. 11) and Josh Hart (No. 3) talk with Brooklyn Nets player Mikal Bridges (No. 1) after the game at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Knicks got a first-hand look at what the former college teammates could do on the court together in the NBA last season, when Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart all performed impressively during the team’s playoff run.
Now, Bridges is reunited with teammates with whom he won multiple NCAA national titles during his collegiate years.
Kendrick Perkins calls Brian Scalabrine a ‘coward’ after former teammate claims he banned him from Celtics parade
As Bridges posted on social media, his reaction was likely the same as that of all Knicks fans.
“This is crazy (laughs),” Bridges said. Just posted to X.
Bridges was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns on draft day. He has blossomed into a star for the Nets since being traded before the deadline for the 2022-23 season.
He played in 27 games for the Nets that season, increasing his scoring average from 17.2 points per game to 26.1 points, and his production last year was similarly solid.
Villanova Wildcats’ Mikal Bridges (No. 25) grabs a rebound in front of teammates Donte DiVincenzo (No. 10) and Jalen Brunson (No. 1) during a game against the Providence Friars at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 23, 2018. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
In 82 regular season games, Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.6 percent from the field.
The Philadelphia native, who was named to the All-Defensive Team in 2021-22, is expected to immediately slot into the starting lineup alongside his Villanova University brethren, including All-Star Brunson, who averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game and was an All-NBA nominee.
News of Bridges’ addition comes at a time when wing OG Anunoby, who was traded to the Knicks last season, has reportedly decided to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.
At 6-foot-6, Bridges is capable of guarding just about anyone on the court, and coach Tom Thibodeau loves him for the incredible enthusiasm he shows every night.
New York is clearly a team that has the favored way to win after going 50-32 last season and earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, but after losing in the conference semifinals for the second straight year, adding another playmaker who can produce on both ends of the floor was paramount for the team this offseason.
Brooklyn Nets player Mikal Bridges (No. 1) celebrates after making a shot in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
The addition of Bridges fulfills that requirement, and he shouldn’t have any trouble adjusting to his new team.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
