3 teams that are interested in trading for Mikal Bridges after he lands in Brooklyn Nets
In the midst of the NBA trade deadline drama early Thursday morning, Mikal Bridges finds himself in Brooklyn, New York. He was certain that he didn't want to leave Phoenix but couldn't control his future as the Suns' new ownership made the blockbuster trade for superstar Kevin Durant.
Bridges was included in a package for Durant and T.J. Warren from Brooklyn along with Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four first-round picks. However, there is speculation that he might not suit up in a Nets uniform at all. Many analysts believe he could be moved to a new team for future assets or younger players as the Brooklyn Nets are now certainly in rebuild mode.
The Nets (32-22) were fourth in the East and one of the best teams in the league with Durant and Irving on the floor. However, the two superstars are now in the West (with Irving going to the Dallas Mavericks), and the rest of the roster seems incapable of making a deep playoff run.
It isn't far-fetched to think that owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks will blow it up and acquire as many draft assets as possible.
Several teams, including Memphis, have called Brooklyn about the availability of Mikal Bridges, via @MikeAScotto
(hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumo…) https://t.co/VcpxbzYhRh
Which teams are interested in Mikal Bridges?
Mikal Bridges is not an All-Star but is undoubtedly a star in his role. He is a lockdown defender who routinely takes up the toughest defensive assignments. He happily takes up the challenge of guarding Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant and others.
Bridges finished second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year last season with 202 votes out of 500 while the Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart won with 257/500 votes.
He is not afraid to step up when his team needs him. He picks up the scoring load when Booker and CP3 are out and has often willed his team to a victory by dropping over 25 points. He is also extremely reliable, playing all 82 games in a season three times in his five-year career. He recently played his 210th straight game.
It isn't surprising that teams are leaping at the chance to get him. He makes any playoff team better and drastically bolsters the perimeter defense.
As per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, one team that is chasing him is the Memphis Grizzlies. They already have a stellar defensive unit and adding Bridges makes them scary in the West. They have expiring contracts with Dillon Brooks and Danny Green that they can use for a deal.
The Houston Rockets are showing some level of interest in Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, per @KellyIko https://t.co/nksXeASKa7
Another team that is interested in his services is the Houston Rockets. They are in rebuilding mode right now but are aiming to make the playoffs in the coming seasons. As per The Athletic's Kelly Iko, the Rockets inquired about the availability of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, who were recently traded from the Suns.
Additionally, social media chatter shows teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics are also interested in Bridges. While there isn't any solid evidence linking the teams to him, one shouldn't be surprised if a title contender suddenly snatches him up.
The more I think about it, if Brooklyn is open to trading Mikal Bridges, Dallas should do anything it takes to land him
The future of Mikal Bridges is certainly up for debate. He could also stay in Brooklyn and then be moved in the offseason if no deal materializes before the trade deadline on Thursday.