Trade Proposal Sends Mikal Bridges To Thunder, Josh Giddey And 3 Draft Picks To Nets

One NBA analyst proposed that the Oklahoma City Thunder trade for Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges this offseason. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Thunder and Nets:

The trade: The Brooklyn Nets trade Mikal Bridges to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng, the No. 12 pick, a 2025 first-round pick (lottery-protected, via MIA) and a 2028 first-round pick (via DAL)

Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.4 blocks this season for the Nets 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. 

“All indications coming out of Brooklyn suggest Bridges isn’t available,” Buckley wrote. “Trade offers will keep coming, though, at least until the franchise shows any semblance of hope for competing at a high level while the 27-year-old (28 in August) swingman remains in his prime.

“The asset-rich Thunder should see if an offer like this could pry him loose. He would be an effortless fit on this roster, adding even more length and athleticism to their perimeter collection while also scratching itches for shot-making, scoring and a pinch of creation. He may not be a true No. 2 co-star for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but between Bridges, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City should have someone capable of rising to that role on any given night.”

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, meanwhile, seem disinterested in a rebuild since they won’t control their draft picks for the next decade (half-joking), but this is the kind of package that could help get things turned around,” Buckley wrote. “The current pick is in the lottery and the others could wind up landing there—Miami’s 2025 first becomes unprotected in 2026 if it doesn’t convey—and both Giddey and Dieng have non-zero chances of becoming building blocks. Williams can capably handle rotation minutes for however long Brooklyn would keep him, but at some point, a win-now club should come calling with a future-focused offer that likely shakes him loose.”