Mikal Bridges Wants To Stay With Nets, Confident Franchise Can Turn Things Around

Mikal Bridges told NBA reporters today (2/20) that he wants to stay with the Brooklyn Nets. 

Bridges is confident the Nets can turn things around. 

Mikal Bridges claims he's "100%" confident in #Nets future: "I’m here now & want to stay here and I'm going to keep grinding and getting to wherever we’ve got to get to win. That's why I'm here for. I'm here to win and all that other sh1t don't me nothing with the accolades"

— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 21, 2024

The Nets fired Jacque Vaughn as head coach and promoted Kevin Ollie to interim head coach. According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Bridges wasn’t a fan of Vaughn’s offense.

Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to fire Vaughn, who has coached the Orlando Magic and Nets. 

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the team going forward,” Marks said in a statement. “Jacque has represented this organization with exemplary character and class for the past eight years. The consistent positivity and passion he poured into our team daily will remain with the players and staff he interacted with throughout his tenure. We thank Jacque for all he has done for the Nets and the borough of Brooklyn, and wish him, Laura and their family nothing but the best in the future.” 

Bridges is the best player on the Nets. He’s averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season while shooting 45.2% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 82.9% from the free-throw line. 

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Nets have rejected trade offers loaded with first-round picks for Bridges. Brooklyn acquired Bridges from the Phoenix Suns last season in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade. 

Bridges is averaging 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks in a Nets uniform. He signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the Suns in October 2021. 

The Nets are 21-33 this season. They are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

Bridges has career averages of 14.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists with the Suns and Nets. He’s one of the top two-way players in the NBA.