The New York Knicks are experiencing a resurgence in the 2023-24 NBA regular season. They have been one of the hottest teams in the league in 2024, compiling a record of 16-3 and moving up the Eastern Conference standings.
The Knicks are currently tied with the Milwaukee Bucks with a 33-18 record and are only a half-game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for second place. The team is dealing with injuries to several key players but has managed to remain afloat in large part because of the Nova Knicks.
All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo and wing Josh Hart have been driving forces behind the team’s recent success. Along with fellow Knick Ryan Arcidiacono, the collegiate teammates at Villanova experienced a ton of success together, winning the National Championship in 2016.
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In 2018, Brunson and DiVincenzo led the way with future NBA standout, Mikal Bridges. Bridges now reside with the Brooklyn Nets after being part of the trade package that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns ahead of last season’s trade deadline.
While the Nets have made it clear that they have no interest in moving Bridges, wouldn’t it be something for the Villanova alums to all reunite in the NBA again? That is one big trade that ESPN’s Bobby Marks would love to see.
In a recent piece, he and fellow NBA analysts shared deals that may not necessarily happen, but ones they want to see occur. Marks’ suggestion was Bridges heading to the Knicks as the final piece to put them over the top as contenders.
In his hypothetical deal, the Knicks would send Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, and five first-round picks, two unprotected via New York and three protected via New York, Dallas and Milwaukee, in exchange for Bridges. That is a steep price to pay, but the Knicks would become legitimate contenders in a lot of people’s eyes if that deal were to be made.
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A starting lineup of Brunson, Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein would be among the best in the NBA. Their rotation would be deep and talented as well, as Grimes is the only rotation player included.
Miles McBride, DiVincenzo, Hart and Precious Achiuwa would likely round out the rotation as the team awaits Mitchell Robinson to get healthy. That is a championship-caliber group for Tom Thibodeau to work with.
Alas, as Marks stated, it is but a pipe dream. The Knicks and Nets aren’t going to make a trade with each other, let alone one of that magnitude. The last time the franchises made a trade was back in 1983 when Len Elmore was sent to New York in exchange for a second-round pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.
On top of that, Marks added that in his 20 years with the Nets, there weren’t any trade discussions held with the Knicks. That, along with Brooklyn’s preference to build around Bridges, makes this trade highly unlikely but a fun one to discuss.
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