The Knicks finally made the big trade on Tuesday night, trading five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges.
It was the shocker of the summer (for now, at least), marking the first trade negotiated between the Knicks and Nets since 1983, when Len Elmore moved from New Jersey to New York.
The Post’s Stephen Bondy answers five big questions about the deal.
Q: Why did the Knicks do this?
A: First, Mikal Bridges is the kind of plug-and-play type wing that every team wants.
He will shore up the defense, cover Jalen Brunson’s defensive weaknesses and add depth to a rotation that was short on healthy players in the playoffs.
Bridges is a time eater.
And the Knicks needed players to earn minutes to get through the season after three of their best players in Brunson, Julius Randle and O.G. Anunoby all underwent surgery.
They are in a tough arms race with the Celtics.
Just as important, the Knicks appear to be discovering and capitalizing on the power of team chemistry that came from their college friendships.
Perhaps this will also be the catalyst for Brunson to sign a contract extension this summer.
Q: What does this mean for OG Anunoby?
A: I still expect the Knicks to re-sign him.
They own his Bird Rights and could re-sign him above the cap if they want, even bringing him up to a max contract (although I don’t think that will happen).
Remember, the Knicks sacrificed a lot to get Anunoby (RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley) and don’t want to lose him for nothing.
He’s also a versatile defender who can guard positions 1-5, so the addition of Bridges likely won’t keep Anunoby out of the lineup.
Q: Is this price too high?
A: Probably, but there are costs involved in doing so.
Bridges is an All-Star candidate, but he has shown he is probably best suited to playing as the team’s third lineman, as he did in Phoenix.
He will likely reprise that role in New York behind Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
He’s also extremely durable, and in today’s NBA, that production is worth paying for.
It’s no exaggeration to say he never missed a game.
His consecutive games played streak is impressive in the load management era.
Plus, his contract is team-friendly and open to a trade if needed.
But even if he becomes available, the Knicks will be open to criticism if they can’t afford to acquire a better star.
Q: Who will replace Bridges in the starting lineup?
A: Assuming Anunoby and Randle return, the logical move would be for Donte DiVincenzo to return to the bench.
He played as a starter last season and was much better as a starter.
We’ll have to wait and see what other moves are made before the season begins, but based on what happened on Tuesday alone, DiVincenzo’s minutes and opportunities will likely be reduced.
Q: Are you sure this is about Jay Wright?
A: It would be the second shocking incident for Villanova University this summer, and it would be even more shocking than Mikal Bridges jumping the river.
Tom Thibodeau is expected to return, but the team is still waiting on news of a contract extension.
Maybe the Knicks made this big trade a priority first, because I’m sure Wright is a great coach.
But it would be foolish to leave Thibodeau out of this team.
