Mikal Bridges' first reaction to getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets

The NBA world was surprised in February 2023 when Mikal got traded for KD.

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Mikal Bridges mostly played as a high-level role player for the Phoenix Suns in his first few years in the NBA, but everything changed when he got traded to the Nets. He was the centerpiece for a trade that sent Kevin Durant from Brooklyn to Phoenix.

Cameron Johnson joined Mikal in the trade, making the transition easier for both players since they are close friends. They reached to each other immediately after the trade, which Mikal talked about in his appearance on the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

“I was in Atlanta, and I’m in a hotel, probably one o’clock in the mirror… My first reaction was oh my god, and I laughed. That’s when I tweeted then Cam called me,” Mikal said on the Roommates Show. 

“The whole team sitting there basically like the Last Supper. It’s crazy… I didn’t know what to think, but I’m always weird; I always wanted to see how it was like getting traded.”

Mikal quickly accepted being a building block for Brooklyn

Getting traded for KD is an honor for Mikal because he is one of the best NBA players in history. It was tough for Mikal to move on from Phoenix since he called it home for the first five years of his career.

Most players would find it challenging to be the star in a new city, especially when you have high expectations like Mikal. The former Villanova Wildcat embraced being the go-to guy in Brooklyn and is now seen as a franchise building block just a year later.

The Nets plan on succeeding in the long-term with Mikal as a big part. Johnson, Cameron Thomas, and Nic Claxton look to figure in that future as Brooklyn wants to keep building and succeeding with a familiar core.

Mikal loves playing for the Nets

As the centerpiece of the Nets organization, it can be heavy to carry that responsibility. However, Mikal is thriving as the Nets’ biggest star because he’s ready for that role while having the support of a fantastic team.

The 2023/24 season has been challenging for Brooklyn, but they have a bright future with this squad. Mikal wants every Nets fan to stay patient because he wants them to trust him and the rest of the roster with the goal of tremendous success in the long-term future.

Mikal Bridges does not mind having his close friends playing in the same city