Inside The Nets

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

Despite less-than-subtle recruitment from his friends, Mikal is happy playing in Brooklyn.

Peter Sunjic

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Mikal Bridges has been solid for the Nets since he was the primary piece from the Kevin Durant trade in February 2023. The former Villanova Wildcat has embraced his role as one of the building blocks in the Nets organization alongside Cameron Thomas.

In his recent appearance on the Roommates Show hosted by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Mikal was subtly recruited by his close friends to move to the New York Knicks. However, Bridges feels satisfied with playing away from his friends in Brooklyn.

“Not really, because I still talked to these dudes. Do you know what helped that? It was the US with y’all. That was fun,” Bridges said as Hart showcased his Knicks shirt to throw a subtle jab at his fellow Wildcat.

The Villanova connection is strong

The Knicks have gradually become the hotspot for former Villanova players as the team has Brunson, Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. Before the trade deadline, the team had four former Wildcats, but Ryan Arcidiacono was involved in the Knicks’ trades.

That connection is strong between the former Wildcats because they’re familiar with each other and happy with what is happening. Inserting Mikal into the lineup is a natural fit, but the Knicks won’t get him soon because Brooklyn focuses on building around Bridges.

Hart and Brunson will keep recruiting their close friend, but Mikal aligns with the Nets’ vision. Brooklyn sees him as a big reason why other star players will join him on the Nets in the future.

Mikal is committed to the Nets despite strong friendships

Bridges might be close to his former Villanova teammates, but he wants to help the Nets return to the highest level. The 2023/24 season has been a rough campaign, but Mikal has been with the Nets every step of the way as a rock-solid defender and go-to scorer. That is valuable for Brooklyn because the 27-year-old helps with recruiting more players like what he did for signing Dennis Smith Jr.

The way Mikal casually dismissed the idea of joining New York should be an encouraging sign for Nets fans. Brooklyn is not firing at the moment, but there is tons of potential within the organization. Mikal is just one part of that because Thomas and Nic Claxton are potential stars. 

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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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