NBA Analyst Says Nets’ Mikal Bridges Should Be Cavaliers’ Dream Trade Target

One NBA analyst believes Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges should be the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dream trade target. 

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thinks the Cavaliers should try to trade for Bridges this offseason. 

“Assuming the Cleveland Cavaliers keep Donovan Mitchell this summer, the team should look for wing upgrades to place next to its All-Star guard,” Swartz wrote. “Some sort of Darius Garland-Mikal Bridges swap would make a lot of sense for both teams, as the Brooklyn Nets need a franchise point guard and Garland is under contract for four more years compared to just two for Bridges.

“The Cavs thrived last season with Mitchell as a full-time point guard, especially defensively (a 2.6 points per 100 possessions swing) when Cleveland could go bigger on the wing. A lineup of Mitchell, Max Strus, Bridges, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen would be a nightmare to try and score against and puts the ball in Mitchell’s hands more on the offensive end as well.”

Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Nets this season while shooting 43.6% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc and 81.4% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $23.3 million next season. 

Bridges has career averages of 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists with the Phoenix Suns and Nets. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. 

In May, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Nets:

The trade: The Brooklyn Nets trade Mikal Bridges and Dennis Schroder to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland

“The Nets already have an eye on Cleveland in case Donovan Mitchell decides he wants out, but they should consider eyeballing his backcourt mate, too,” Buckley wrote. “Garland might be an even better option for them since he’s younger and under contract through 2027-28.

“It’s probably going to take Brooklyn time to turn its trajectory around. Snagging a potential cornerstone like Garland to help set the long-term foundation could be hugely helpful for that—especially if, like here, he wouldn’t cost a single draft pick to acquire.

“Maybe that’s too optimistic, but the Cavs have long needed a true two-way wing like Bridges, plus they’d have Schröder to help Mitchell with the creation duties. And if they agree with a lot of folks—including Garland’s agent—who think Cleveland’s current backcourt bunch is untenable, then this provides both a potential fix for that problem and an official end to the swingman search.”

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Rich Paul would speak with the Cavaliers about trading Garland if Mitchell signs an extension this offseason.

Paul is Garland’s agent.