Would New York Knicks Target Mikal Bridges for a Fresh Start?

A trade with the Brooklyn Nets sounds unlikely but the New York Knicks could make a play for their star Mikal Bridges.

Mar 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) celebrates after / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks have frequently turned to trades and signings to bolster their active playoff roster. Would they be willing to strike a deal with one of their most notorious rivals for their next move?

Offering ideal destinations for stars that could use a fresh start, Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey suggested that the Knicks should go after Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets.

"His multipositional defense would make him an instant favorite of Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau," Bailey writes. "Bridges also isn't likely to cost as much as (Donovan) Mitchell or Giannis (Antetokounmpo). Bojan Bogdanović and a big chunk of the Knicks' trove of draft assets might get it done."

"Having an All-NBA player like (Jalen) Brunson on a below-market contract has opened up tons of team-building avenues for the Knicks. They should explore the one that leads to Bridges."

Mar 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Bridges has long been a target of his former Villanova teammates Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart. While the trio is on their way to the playoffs, Bridges will be a spectator after this Brooklyn season went horribly awry.

This season was Bridges' first full time with the Nets after he came over in the deal that sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix at last year's trade deadline. Bridges is the leading scorer for the Nets at 19.9 a game and he has partaken in every Brooklyn contest this season. While it appears that being the primary option on a playoff team may be out of his skillset at this point in time, Bridges could be a strong supporting piece on an established playoff group ... especially one with so many familiar faces.

The Knicks will be back in action on Thursday against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT).