One NBA writer is proposing that the New Orleans Pelicans acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Pelicans and Nets:
The New Orleans Pelicans acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets for Jordan Hawkins, Jonas Valanciunas and four first-round picks
The Pelicans could start CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Brandon Ingram, Bridges and Zion Williamson if New Orleans’ front office figured out a way to acquire Bridges from Brooklyn.
“Once McCollum recovers from his collapsed right lung, Bridges would join him, Williamson and Ingram as a fourth offensive initiator—one who’d come with the bonus of massive off-ball value as a shooter,” Hughes wrote in his NBA trade column. “And if there’s a rangier wing defender in the league than Jones, who’s off to a tremendously disruptive start on D, it might be Bridges.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Bridges is averaging 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks for the Nets this season while shooting 48.3% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc and 90.0% from the free-throw line. He is one of the top two-way players in the NBA.
Several contenders were interested in trading for Bridges this past offseason, but the Nets declined all the offers they received. However, if Brooklyn isn’t in the playoff picture near the February trade deadline, the front office could embark on a rebuild and trade Bridges for a massive haul.
Bridges has career NBA averages of 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Phoenix Suns and Nets. He signed a four-year, $90 million contract with Phoenix in October 2021. Bridges is making $21.7 million this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
The Pelicans haven’t won a playoff series since drafting Williamson and acquiring Ingram from the Los Angeles Lakers. The team may need to make a bold trade for Bridges to become legitimate contenders.
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