New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (ankle) will play on Tuesday against the Raptors. He tweaked his ankle during Monday's 124-118 win over the Houston Rockets. But the 28-year-old still finished with 22 points, two blocks, and one steal in 39 minutes. It would take a miracle for Bridges to miss a game, so fantasy managers were planning to see him out there. With Josh Hart (knee) and Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) available, Bridges ceiling isn't as high. Still, he's a must-start in any fantasy format for the favorable matchup on the horizon.
Mikal Bridges Unlikely To Sign Extension With Knicks
New York Knicks guard/forward Mikal Bridges moved across the city this offseason as he was traded from the Nets to the Knicks over the summer. The Knicks proved that they weren't done there as they traded away Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for Karl-Anthony Towns. After taking on Towns' massive contract, the Knicks are in win-now mode. According to Brian Windhorst, that sentiment gets even louder because Bridges is unlikely to sign an extension with the team. He'll likely wait another year to explore either an extension or signing with a different team because his negotiations become more flexible the longer he waits. Bridges was the number-one option for the Nets last season and averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.6% from the floor and 37.2% from deep. His numbers are more than likely going to drop as his usage falls since he'll be playing with Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Towns.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets traded forward Mikal Bridges to the Knicks on Tuesday night. In exchange, Brooklyn will receive multiple unprotected first-round draft picks and forward Bojan Bogdanovic. The former Villanova Wildcat took a step backward in 2023-24, averaging 19.6 points, 6.5 fewer than he had in 27 games in Brooklyn during the 2022-23 campaign. While the Nets had scoffed at numerous offers from other clubs around the National Basketball Association, Bridges will now reunite with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. Without question, the move makes New York an even bigger threat in the Eastern Conference, considering Bridges is the most durable player in the league. He was also in the running for a Defensive Player of the Year award at one point in his career. At any rate, the 27-year-old has plenty to offer fantasy managers, even though he'll have more competition for scoring opportunities with the Knicks.
Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges has been linked with three teams as the 2024 NBA Draft draws nearer. According to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, Bridges is a "player to monitor" among the Utah Jazz's "most aggressive aspirations." Fischer has also listed the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks as potential suitors for Bridges. Previous reports have suggested that the Nets aren't interested in any deals involving the former All-Defensive First Team member. However, they might end up getting an offer which is too good to refuse. League sources have told Fischer that Brooklyn has actively tried to trade into this week's draft. Houston holds the No. 3 pick, Utah has the No. 10 selection, and New York boasts two late first-round picks.
Nets Still Not Interested In Trading Mikal Bridges
According to Fred Katz of the New York Times, the Brooklyn Nets are staying firm on their unwillingness to trade forward Mikal Bridges. Per Katz, league sources have contacted Brooklyn about acquiring the former Sun, with teams offering "hoards of first-rounders." However, the Nets haven't budged. After the 27-year-old was traded from Phoenix in 2022-23, he averaged a career-high 26.1 points in 27 games in Brooklyn. But his production declined significantly last season, with Bridges ending the year by averaging 19.6 points. At any rate, the Nets are in rebuilding mode, and it appears the franchise wants to build around Bridges. Brooklyn also has a new coach in Jordi Fernandez, which could help Bridges turn things around for fantasy managers in 2024-25.
Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges is reportedly on the radar of the Houston Rockets. According to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, the Rockets are interested in trading their No. 3 pick of the 2024 draft for Bridges. O'Connor added that Houston has also been in discussions with Memphis to trade down the pick. Additionally, he noted that Brooklyn isn't too keen on the deal and prefers to add pieces around Bridges instead of trading him. The 27-year-old has just finished his first full campaign with the Nets, averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a career-high 3.5 assists. He's been a good fit for the team, and a move to H-Town could have a negative impact on his fantasy value.
According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Brooklyn Nets guard Mikal Bridges is "100%" committed to the team. The former Sun recently expressed his disapproval of the offense under Jacque Vaughn, who has since been relieved of his head coaching duties. However, it appears Bridges plans to remain in Brooklyn. "I'm here now and want to stay here," said Bridges during a recent interview. "I'm going to keep grinding and getting to wherever we've got to get to win." The 27-year-old was traded to Brooklyn last season and averaged a career-high 26.1 points in 27 games. But his production has declined significantly, logging nearly five points fewer per contest throughout the 2023-24 campaign. But with Kevin Ollie earning the interim tag, Bridges may get back on track sooner rather than later, so fantasy managers need to remain patient.
Brooklyn Nets guard Mikal Bridges (shin) is available for Friday's meeting with the Lakers. He was listed as probable because of a right shin contusion. However, it will take more than that to keep the league's most durable player out of the lineup. The 2018 No. 10 overall pick is averaging 21.4 points this season, nearly five less than the 2022-23 campaign. However, Bridges should remain starting in every fantasy format imaginable, considering he's starting to pick things up in all statistical categories.
Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (shin) is listed as probable to play on the NBA Injury Report and should be available to play Friday's game at the Lakers. The 27-year-old injured his shin in the team's loss at Portland Wednesday and had to exit the game. After returning to the game and earning a probable designation, the former Sun appears good to go for Friday's game. Barring any pregame setbacks, Bridges should be in for his regular starting role with solid minutes and usage.
The Brooklyn Nets have no intention of trading forward Mikal Bridges, and the organization wants to continue to add talent around him as a foundational piece to their roster, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Bridges' lauded "iron-man" status has carried into his first full year with Brooklyn, having not yet missed a single game in his career. The 27-year-old two-way star's late-season scoring binge after the Nets acquired him as the key coup of last February's Kevin Durant trade, however, is beginning to look a bit flukey. Although the front office appears to value him as a building block, Bridges has experienced a considerable drop in points (20.9) and turnovers (2.4) per game as well as free-throw percentage (83.2%) from last year's second half. With that said, Bridges is still a head-to-head fantasy gem for his exceptional ability to stay on the court.