Knicks Forward Can Make NBA's Biggest Impact

The New York Knicks have a new dynamic forward looking to make a difference.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 26, 2024

Feb 27, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) passes the ball around Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks will look a bit different in the upcoming season with the addition of Mikal Bridges, who was acquired via trade from the Brooklyn Nets.

Bridges isn't expected to be a star for the Knicks like he was with the Nets, but he should make his mark with his new team.

"He has the potential to impact the 2025 playoffs as much as anyone," ESPN contributor Kevin Pelton writes. "By making a rare trade with their crosstown rival Nets to get Bridges, the Knicks doubled down on their strengths in terms of defensive versatility, shooting and former Villanova players. In Bridges and OG Anunoby, New York now boasts two of the NBA's best 3-and-D players, both of whom have more ability to create their own offense than most players in that mold. That could prove especially important with Bridges, who was stretched as Brooklyn's go-to guy last season -- his .560 true shooting percentage was Bridges' lowest since his rookie campaign -- but is an ideal complement for Brunson."

Adding Bridges to the team will solve several problems for the Knicks. He boosts the team's defense on the perimeter, gives Jalen Brunson another player to kick it to on the 3-point line, and creates another offensive weapon for the Knicks.

Bridges won't be expected to be a No. 1 option, but he will create a lot of looks for the Knicks with and without the ball.

Bridges is the biggest key for the Knicks. If he is average, the Knicks may be stagnant given the fact that the team didn't make other transactions during the offseason. But if he is what the Knicks hope he can be, New York will emerge and become one of the true threats towards a top seed in the Eastern Conference and challenging the Boston Celtics for the label of best team in the league.

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Published Sep 26, 2024

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.