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Could New York Knicks 'Complete Villanova Connection', Trade for Mikal Bridges?

Could current Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges wind up joining his Villanova teammates with the New York Knicks?

Jeremy Brener

Mar 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past
Mar 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference, but there's always an eye on Manhattan's future.

New York's current run of prosperity has been built on the success of former Villanova Wildcats: Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 in the summer of 2022 before Josh Hart was added in a deal with Portland at the ensuing trade deadline. The current trifecta was completed last offseason when Donte DiVincenzo was brought in from Golden State.

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

Theorizing hypothetical trades for the Knicks' next offseason, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report took a page out of Hart's book and suggested the idea of adding a fourth Villanova alum in Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges.

"Bridges must be wondering whether Brooklyn will be able to build a winner around him while he remains in his prime," Bleacher Report writes. "And the Nets might be pondering the same thing. If they are, they might see more long-term value in what the Knicks have to offer (three first-round picks feels like a realistic foundation for a trade package) than what Bridges can provide."

While the Nets have been vocal in their desire to keep Bridges, there may be a re-evaluation into whether it's the right move, especially for a team that has no first-round pick. Hart has made several attempts to recruit Bridges to the other side of the city and recently compared his situation to a meme inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants.

If the Nets opted to trade Bridges, fewer teams could conjure an offer better than the Knicks, who carry a multitude of first-round picks accumulated over the past few offseasons. The Nets may be hesitant to trade their best player to their in-city rival, but if the Knicks cook up the best offer, it may be in their best interest to act.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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