Mikal Bridges is a Knick, maybe six years later than I thought.
The New York Knicks made a blockbuster trade for Bridges, bringing the elite 3-and-D forward across the river from Brooklyn.
Bridges had his official introductory press conference with the Knicks on Tuesday and admitted that he thought he was going to be selected by the Knicks with the ninth overall pick in 2018.
“I’m really excited to play at the Garden,” Bridges told reporters. “I thought I’d be here in 2018, that No. 9 [pick].”
The Knicks had the ninth pick in the 2018 draft. They ultimately selected Kentucky forward Kevin Knox. Bridges was selected with the 10th pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, but was traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night.
On Tuesday, Bridges recalled sitting in the green room on draft night, watching the Knicks’ pick approach and thinking it was his time.
“OK, I’m about to go play at MSG, it’s about time, I love it there,” Bridges said Tuesday, recalling his thoughts on draft night.
“I thought there was a chance, honestly, I really thought I was going to go there.”
The 2018 draft also featured Bridges’ Villanova teammates Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. DiVincenzo was selected 17th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and Brunson was selected in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Dallas Mavericks.
Instead, Bridges spent four and a half seasons with the Suns, where he developed into one of the NBA’s best defensive forwards and a reliable three-point shooter. He was then traded to the Nets in the Kevin Durant deal in 2022. In Brooklyn, Bridges was able to showcase an expanded offensive game as the Nets’ go-to scorer. After an extremely productive and efficient start in Brooklyn, Bridges struggled as the primary option last year.
Now, Bridges is reunited with the Nova Knicks and could become the missing piece to propel the Knicks into championship contention.
