The New York Knicks' trade for Mikal Bridges was one of the blockbuster moves of the NBA offseason.
It's largely because of that move that the Knicks are considered potential championship contenders this season (that, and potential good health up and down the roster, which the Knicks did not have during last year's playoff run).
And yet, the larger NBA world somewhat seems to be downplaying the impact Bridges figures to have on the Knicks this season.
After all, much of the discussion after the trade was how much the Knicks gave up for someone "who hasn't made an All-Star team."
The Athletic's John Hollinger ranked the Knicks below the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks due to lack of star power (a fair point, as Bridges, in a vacuum is not as good as those two teams' stars).
On the Action Network's "Buckets" podcast, analyst Matt Moore argued that he's not sure Bridges does much to elevate the Knicks' ceiling.
"I don't know what's additive about Mikal," Moore said, adding: "I don't know what Mikal brings to the table that makes them better than last year. He sures-up what was good about them, but I don't know that he makes them better."
Bridges' drastic role changes
Part of the issue in the analysis of Bridges' fit is that Bridges is slated to play something of a new role with the Knicks.
The story of Bridges career so far is the massive role change he underwent by being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Brooklyn Nets.
With the Suns, Bridges was a classic 3-and-D wing: he hounded opposing guards and wings while shooting spot-up threes, running in transition, making off-ball cuts. He occasionally got to create with the ball in his hands, but from 2020-2022, Bridges ranked fourth in shot attempts per game on the Suns.
Then, when he got traded to the Nets as part of the Kevin Durant trade in 2023, Bridges became a No. 1 option overnight. Bridges was suddenly tasked with handling the ball more and creating his own shot. In Bridges' one-and-a-half seasons with Brooklyn, he led the Nets in shot attempts.
Across 4.5 seasons in Phoenix, Bridges had a usage percentage of 14.7%. Across 1.5 seasons with the Nets, Bridges usage shot up to 25.7%.
Bridges initially thrived in that lead creator role in 2022-23, surprising even his biggest fans, but he struggled last season, looking overmatched as a No. 1 option every night.
Bridges blends those two roles with the Knicks
The idea that Bridges won't add to the Knicks is a confusing one. In a league where teams cannot have enough wings who can shoot the three, make a play with the ball, and play high-level defense, the Knicks just added one of the best in the entire NBA.
Now, with the Knicks, Bridges is slated to blend those two roles. And it might be the role he is best suited for.
If Bridges was over-burdened as a No. 1 option with the Nets, and too good to be a fourth option in Phoenix, then he should thrive as No. 2/3 option with the Knicks this year — call him the 2.5 option!
Assuming Bridges starts at two guard, he'll play something more akin to his role in Phoenix. Playing alongside two ball-dominant players in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, Bridges will be asked to space the floor and be ready to catch and shoot. When defenders turn their back on him to focus on Brunson or Randle, he can cut back door for easy baskets.
If Bridges receives a kick-out pass, he can also attack the close-out, drive the ball, and get to the rim or his deadly free-throw-line pull-up jumper.
Of course, Bridges now has that experience playing as a No. 1 option, so he can also make Brunson and Randle's lives easier. Bridges can run pick-and-roll with either of those two players spacing the floor and face fewer defenders than he did in Brooklyn, when defenses keyed in on him. He may be able to get Brunson and Randle catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Bridges' experience as a No. 1 option should translate when the Knicks play their reserves, too. Bridges will likely get opportunities to be a lead ball-handler with the Knicks reserve units. Bridges can prop up those units with his own shot creation, playing alongside his Villanova alumni in Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. It's easy to imagine those three players feasting against opposing teams' second units.
And because Bridges will be playing a less burdensome offensive role, it will allow him to play harder on defense (where he had arguably lagged the last two seasons in Brooklyn). Bridges gives the Knicks a better option on smaller, quicker guards than OG Anunoby. Bridges, with his long arms, quick feet, and excellent screen navigation should fair better on players like Tyrese Maxey, who proved too quick for Anunoby in last year's playoffs.
Add all of this up, and you have the makings of one of the NBA's elite role players — a player who can star in a big role, but superstar-level role. This is partially why the Knicks gave up so much to get him — there are only a handful of elite 3-and-D players in the league. The Knicks got one who can also pick up the slack offensively when called upon.
Not only does he add to the Knicks' floor, he should elevate their ceiling, in part, because he'll ease the burden on other supporting players.