© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Mikal Bridges does not mind having his close friends playing in the same city
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.
