Knicks Mikal Bridges Trade Is Starting to Look Much Better
When the New York Knicks gave up five first-round picks and a swap for Mikal Bridges, many assumed it was a gamble that could haunt them for years. But what if it doesn’t?
A new ranking from Sam Quinn of CBS Sports — which evaluates the current value of every traded first-round pick and swap — paints a surprisingly positive picture for New York. Of the 63 draft assets ranked, here’s where the Knicks’ remaining obligations to the Brooklyn Nets land:
- No. 51: 2028 first-round swap
- No. 48: 2027 first-round pick
- No. 23: 2029 first-round pick
- No. 16: 2031 first-round pick
Not bad. Only two of those are inside the top 25 most valuable picks, and none crack the top 15.
Why the Knicks’ Picks Might Not Be That Valuable
Thanks in large part to Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ salary sheet is structured to avoid hitting the NBA’s dreaded “second apron” until at least the 2026-27 season. Even after crossing it, they could spend up to two years over the threshold before facing the league’s penalty of having their first-round pick seven years out pushed to the end of the round.
Translation: New York is positioned to remain a top contender through at least the 2027-28 campaign. And if the front office makes cap-saving moves — such as parting ways with Mitchell Robinson or Josh Hart — they could push that window another year, keeping the 2029 pick’s value low.
The real wild card is the 2031 first-rounder, which has the most upside simply because it’s so far away. But predicting the NBA five years out is a fool’s game. By then, the roster will have changed, and the Knicks could land another star, further lowering that pick’s appeal to Brooklyn.
Two Picks Already Off the Table
It’s also worth remembering that two of the picks in the Bridges deal have already conveyed. This year, Brooklyn used them to select Nolan Traore (No. 19) and Ben Saraf (No. 26). Neither is currently seen as a future franchise-changing talent.
Then there’s Bridges’ new four-year, $150 million extension — a deal that looks like a bargain compared to what he likely would have commanded as a free agent next summer. It’s even possible that trading for Bridges helped secure Brunson’s own below-market extension, one of the league’s best contracts.
The Verdict So Far
Was the Bridges trade a slam dunk steal? Probably not. But it’s also not the franchise-crippling overpay critics claimed. With two picks already spent on non-star prospects and the remaining ones unlikely to be premium lottery selections, the cost doesn’t seem nearly as steep as it once did.
The final judgment will come on the court over the next few seasons. For now, though, the deal is aging far better than expected.
