Report: Knicks, Rockets, Jazz Continue To Call Nets About Mikal Bridges Trade

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz continue to call the Brooklyn Nets about a Mikal Bridges trade. 

The Nets have told teams they are not interested in trading Bridges. 

“Brooklyn Nets swingman Mikal Bridges, according to league sources, is a player to monitor among Utah’s most aggressive aspirations,” Fischer wrote. “The Jazz are said to be right in the mix with Houston, holding the No. 3 pick, and New York, where three of Bridges’ college teammates currently play, among the teams that continue to check with Brooklyn about the availability of its 27-year-old swingman. The Jazz have substantial salaries for veterans John Collins ($26.5 million) and Jordan Clarkson ($14 million) to send out in any possible deal, in addition to trading into their own cap room.”

Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.4 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 43.6% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc and 81.4% from the free-throw line. The forward will make $23.3 million next season. 

One of the top two-way players in the NBA, Bridges has career averages of 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Phoenix Suns and Nets. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. 

Bridges was traded by the Suns to the Nets in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade in February 2023. The swingman is averaging 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.4 blocks with Brooklyn. 

“The Nets have expressed zero interest in trading Bridges, according to league sources who have been in contact with them — and it’s not like they haven’t had opportunities,” NBA insider Fred Katz of The Athletic wrote. “Other teams have offered hoards of first-rounders; Brooklyn hasn’t engaged.

“According to league sources, Brooklyn’s front office has told teams it views Bridges as a costar to whichever big name it can trade for down the line. That’s the organization’s long-term plan — though all it takes for the blueprint to change is one hint from Bridges that he wouldn’t re-sign in a couple of seasons.”

The Nets missed the playoffs this year. They went 32-50 under Jacque Vaughn and Kevin Ollie. Jordi Fernandez is the new head coach in Brooklyn.