Every summer, the Brooklyn Nets‘ roster seems to change drastically.
Mikal Bridges was the most consistent player for the Nets this season, but he was unexpectedly traded to New York, marking the first trade between these local rivals in 40 years.
Brooklyn’s New Direction:
With Mikal gone and no key player coming back in return, Brooklyn appears to be heading into another rebuild. They received a bunch of future draft picks instead of immediate talent.
The moment you've all been waiting for 🍿
Mikal Bridges will be introduced as a New York Knick today at 11 AM on MSG & MSG+
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN)
The general manager is optimistic about the rebuild. Sean Marks said on Monday, “This build… we’ll be strategic in it.” He believes it won’t take as long as some might think.
Marks highlighted that they got first-round picks from the Knicks for 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031. “We’ve done it before,” he said confidently about using draft assets effectively.
Focusing on Future Talent:
The team is shifting its strategy from star players to investing in young prospects. Next summer alone, they have four first-round picks in what’s expected to be a strong draft class.
Marks elaborated on this new approach: “You have to look yourself in the mirror as an organization and decide what’s best for sustainable success.” He believes their recent accumulation of draft assets will help them long-term.
Mikal Didn’t Want To Leave:
Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, Marks assured everyone that Mikal did not request a trade. “That could not be further from the truth,” he stated firmly.
During his time with Brooklyn, Mikal averaged 26.1 points per game initially but dropped to 19.6 due to overall team performance struggles; they missed out on playoffs with a record of 32-50.
Fans feel hopeful about this new direction because building through drafts can create lasting success.
Looking Ahead:
Now armed with draft picks and cap space for an All-Star talent acquisition, Brooklyn faces a unique situation. However, they lack a clear leader on their squad right now and will seek one during summer negotiations .
“It’s tough,” admitted Sean Marks about trading Mikal who had been central since last year’s trade deal. But he believes that this move sets them up for sustainable success moving forward.
