Inside The Nets

Report: After turning down a huge draft offer last offseason, Nets still unwilling to trade Mikal Bridges

For Brooklyn, a potential Mikal trade would signal a full-scale rebuild — a suicide idea for the franchise's future.

Peter Sunjic

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Despite the furious roller coaster ride that they've been experiencing and the overwhelming uncertainty towards their path this season, the Brooklyn Nets will always look at Mikal Bridges as an important building block of their future.

Upon posting a good 2023-24 start, which eventually got flipped with strings of inconsistencies and rough stretches, the Nets are now starting to hear rumblings and suggestions to make moves heading to the trade deadline. And while they have considerable units that are drawing warm interests around the market, they do remain clinging to their commitment towards Mikal.

This unwavering regard that Brooklyn holds for the 27-year-old couldn't be more highlighted as a report suggests that the franchise even turned down a mouthwatering offer for Bridges.

No trade for Mikal

The Nets truly covet Bridges to the point that they rejected an unrefusable load of draft chests just to cut their ties with him.

According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Brooklyn didn't accept the four first-round pick offseason trade proposal that the Memphis Grizzlies handed to them for Bridges.

And this season, their stance of no-trade for Mikal remains firm and unmoved, as a potential separation would trigger a full-scale rebuild that neither team governor Joe Tsai nor general manager Sean Marks have in mind.

“He’s played solid defense and is well-regarded in the building. Dealing him would signal a tearing it down to the studs,” Lewis wrote about Bridges’ importance for the Nets.

Brooklyn has no reason to cut ties with Bridges

As it is, it would be a foolish move for the Nets if they'll entertain the idea of a full-blown rebuild since their supposed tanking would only benefit the Houston Rockets, the team that acquired their three first-round picks (2022, 2024, and 2026) and four more pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027) in the infamous James Harden 2021 trade.

Though there has been plenty of disappointment around Mikal as his supposed breakout year as an established star should exist statistically in 2023-24, it remains clear that he is a significant piece of their plans for the next few years. In addition, his two-way capabilities are integral and massive keys to their overall performance as a team.

With all of the guys set to be made available with around 20 days left before the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Brooklyn will truly tag Mikal as an untouchable one. 

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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