After a little over a week has passed, the blockbuster surrounding the Nets trading Mikal Bridges to their cross-town rivals, is now completed.
Although it was originally reported that the only active player coming to Brooklyn was Bojan Bogdanovic, the Knicks were still in need of dumping more salary to avoid being hard-capped at the first apron (cannot exceed the $178.7 million spending limit) per Bobby Marks.
Even though numerous rumors were spread that the Knicks would either be involving young guard Miles McBride, or 6'8 forward/center Precious Achiuwa in this trade, it was announced that there would be a different set of players involved in the exchange (which was reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, this morning).
In addition to Shake Milton, the Nets also acquired Forward Mamadi Diakite (both who barely played last year).
Milton, a combo guard, is coming off of a 4.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg, and 1.3 apg season, while Diakite, a 6’9 forward, is coming off of a 2.0 ppg, 0.7 rpg, and 0.3 apg season.
So now that this franchise-changing trade has now been completed, how did the Nets do?
COMPLETED TRADE:
Nets Receive:
• Bojan Bogdanovic
• Shake Milton
• Mamadi Diakite
• 4 Unprotected First Round Picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031 via NYK)
• 1 Protected First Round Pick (top 1-4 protected via MIL)
• 2028 First Round Pick Swap via NYK
Knicks Receive:
• Mikal Bridges
• Keita Bates-Diop
• 2026 BKN 2nd
NETS TRADE GRADE: A
With Mikal Bridges finally being traded, the Nets can finally go the rebuild route that made so much sense to begin with. Getting essentially 5 first round picks out of a struggling Bridges this past season, is beyond incredible, along with players that can be easily moved off of.
But not only that, the Nets trading to the Houston Rockets for control of their own 2025 and 2026 first round picks is what sets this trade in place.
2025 is projected to be one of most talented drafts in recent history, and now the Nets own 4 first round picks in that upcoming draft and still have their own second round pick. And with phenomenons such as Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybansta being available in 2026, that pick could be just as intriguing as this upcoming 2025 first round pick that the Nets own.
Although the Nets are trading to a cross-town rival that is now in championship contention, these are the perfect steps towards long-term success. Yes, draft picks are not guaranteed, but every championship team has drafted players, one way or another, and most teams who win championships, draft their eventual finals MVP.
However, Sean Marks needs to keep it up. There are still concerns with how he can facilitate trades and get off of role players after a big move. With Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schroder, Ben Simmons, and Bojan Bogdanovic still being on the roster, it’s crucial Marks is able to move off of most of these players, and get young assets and draft picks to help and speed up the tank in Brooklyn.
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