This summer, the Boston Celtics’ main priority is to retain their championship-winning team, but opponents from all across the league, particularly the Eastern Conference, won’t let that stop them from working hard.
That was made clear on Tuesday evening.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the New York Knicks acquired forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets less than twenty-four hours before the 2024 NBA Draft began. Bojan Bogdanovic, a forward, four unprotected first-round selections, a protected first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap, and a second-round selection were all acquired by Brooklyn in return.
After a strong 82-game farewell season with the Nets, Bridges, 27, will make the short trip from Brooklyn to New York ( Madison Square Garden is about 5.3 miles from Barclays Center). Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.6% from the field.
The Knicks were in contention for a deep postseason run prior to Julius Randle’s surgery-related right shoulder injury that ended his career in New York. They made it to the second round of the playoffs but were unable to make it to the conference finals due to their inability to hold a 3-2 lead against the Pacers.
Bridges’ arrival, which will join other Villanova products Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jalen Brunson, is undoubtedly helpful, especially in light of the fact that OG Anunoby, the team’s trade deadline pickup, chose to waive his contract. Together, Bridges, Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo won an NCAA championship at Villanova in 2016.
The NBA has already started some early summer activities as a result of seeing the Celtics dominate the postseason with a 16-3 record. Josh Giddey was traded to the Thunder in return for guard Alex Caruso from the Bulls, but moves are happening as Boston predicted after winning 18 titles.
According to NBC Sports Boston, Celtics head of basketball operations Brad Stevens told reporters on Tuesday, “I don’t know what the league’s gonna look like in three weeks so who knows.” However, I am aware that human nature will be a formidable foe. All of our opponents will attack you after a victory, and it will be difficult to bounce back and become great again. But that task is also enjoyable.
