As the Nets welcomed Knicks’ Michal Bridges to his first game in Brooklyn since the trade

Last offseason, The Brooklyn Nets decided to fully embrace the rebuilding process after trading Mikal Bridgesprobably their best player during the 2023-24 season New York Knicks in exchange for future first-round picks. Bridges has been a good servant to the Nets franchise in his one and a half seasons with the team, and has done his part in expanding his offensive repertoire to fill the role of the team’s number one option, though ultimately, his scoring efficiency has fallen off a cliff.

Bridges, he recalls, was one of the main pieces the Nets got in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. So for the Nets to get a sizable haul for Bridges as well, it’s nothing short of a win, especially when they were able to bring back their departing starters from the Houston Rockets. So it’s no surprise that there isn’t much, if any, animosity between Bridges and the Nets franchise as the Barclays Center welcomes the 28-year-old forward with open arms in his first return to Brooklyn since arriving with the Knicks.

Bridges had never been thrust into first-option duty prior to his time with the Netsand yet he managed to expand his game and turn some heads during his time in Brooklyn. To finish the 2022-23 season, he averaged 26.1 points per game in 27 games in a Nets uniform on 48/38/89 shooting — very impressive stuff from someone who was a top third option with the Suns.

But during the 2023-24 campaign, the defense began to weigh more on Bridges and his overall production dipped, averaging just 19.6 points in a 44/37/81 split. The Knicks, however, decided to go all-in on their current core, sending away six first-rounders for Bridges — believing he’ll be back at his best in a complementary role.

Michael Bridges is getting used to life with the Knicks

Michael Bridges did not start his career with the Knicks in the best way. For someone who was acquired for six picks in the first round, Bridges didn’t light up Madison Square Garden immediately upon joining the team. But Bridges, being the glue guy that he is, has managed to carve out space for himself as a third/fourth option in the team, primarily exploded for 41 points in a Christmas Day win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Bridges continues to be one of the best defenders in the league, especially when paired with OG Anunoby, and the Knicks will need more of his consistent production moving forward.