Mikal Bridges Didn't Request Trade to Knicks, Nets' Sean Marks Says
July 8, 2024
Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks made it clear that Mikal Bridges didn't request a trade from the team before he was dealt to the New York Knicks.
"I think it's been reported that Mikal wanted to leave or requested a trade but that could not be further from the truth," Marks told reporters on Monday. "That's just not in Mikal's character, that's not who he is, and that definitely did not happen."
Nets Videos @SNYNetsSean Marks says that Mikal Bridges did not request a trade from the Nets to the Knicks<br><br>"Leon and I talked for a couple of days on this thing and it moved very, very quickly...that's not in his character, that's not who he is." <a href="https://t.co/9Av6vcOnfC">pic.twitter.com/9Av6vcOnfC</a>
Bridges was traded to the Knicks on June 25 for a package that included Bojan Bogdanović, four unprotected first-round picks, and a protected 2025 first-round selection.
It was a hefty return for a player who has yet to make an All-Star appearance in his career, although Bridges reportedly had several other suitors on the trade market. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets were both interested in the swingman prior to the Knicks deal.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews also revealed that the Golden State Warriors made an effort to acquire him.
Bridges seemed to be aware of the rumors surrounding a possible trade request from the team, jokingly referencing them during an Instagram post in which he thanked the Nets organization on Sunday.
Legion Hoops @LegionHoopsMikal Bridges' goodbye message to the Nets:<br><br>"Once again I got traded I was not a free agent idk what y'all want me to do 😭😭"<br><br>(h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@erikslater_</a>) <a href="https://t.co/2ONCpL6q3h">pic.twitter.com/2ONCpL6q3h</a>
The 27-year-old has remained one of the league's most effective two-way players over the past few seasons, growing as an offensive threat with the ball in his hands after he was traded to Brooklyn during his 2022-23 campaign.
In 82 starts last year, Bridges averaged 19.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from behind the arc.
He'll be joining a Knicks team that's expected to compete with the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Bridges will also be reuniting with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo.