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Mikal Bridges knows that he came to the New York Knicks for a heavy price and he's determined to make that price worth it, although he knows that for most of the 2025-26 regular season, he didn't live up to that price.
The price in particular that the Knicks paid for Bridges was through a now-notorious trade with the Brooklyn Nets that sent Bridges to Manhattan in exchange for Bojan Bodanović and four unprotected first-round picks, a second-run pick, one protected first-round pick and an unprotected pick swap.
It's one of the most one-sided trades in NBA history and while Bridges is a great player, he was nowhere near the level of superstar that would have usually warranted such a trade, and he has so far not matched the level of production that he was putting on the floor for the Nets.
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) forces a jump ball with New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) in the second half during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
In the 2024-25 season, Bridges saw a slight decline in his production in scoring and rebounding, though his assist numbers did see a slight increase.
Last season was a worse story, though. Bridges averaged just 14.4 points per game, his worst scoring average since the fourth season of his career, though rebounding numbers experienced a slight increase and his assist averages matched the prior season's average.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) looks to move the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Still, Bridges scoring did not match up to the player the Knicks were expecting when they traded for him and as time went on in the regular season and Bridges continued to underperform, more and more scrutiny was applied to the trade.
Bridges knows more than anyone else how much he was underperforming and in a recent interview on 7pm in Brooklyn With Carmelo Anthony, Bridges shared just how much he's conscious of his performance and how much he wants to get better.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) warms up prior to game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
"I wasn't happy with my own play," Bridges said (via Hoops Hype). "I'm the ultimate competitor... All I think about is my job... When they feel; like I'm struggling, trust me, I know I am and I'm trying to do whatever it takes to get over that hump."
He may not have gotten over the hump in the regular season, but all of that changed when it came to the playoffs.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) dribbles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
For so much of the Knicks' historic playoff run, it seemed like Bridges simply could not miss. He averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists during the 2026 playoffs, but the true standout of his contributions was his efficiency, where he shot an outstanding 55.9% from the field and 36.5% from three point range, providing a lift that the Knicks depended on in some of the most critical moments.
Now that the Knicks, Bridges included, are champions, it looks like all of those picks were well worth it, but a championship in the past clearly won't stop Bridges from striving to improve in the future.
Continue reading...
The price in particular that the Knicks paid for Bridges was through a now-notorious trade with the Brooklyn Nets that sent Bridges to Manhattan in exchange for Bojan Bodanović and four unprotected first-round picks, a second-run pick, one protected first-round pick and an unprotected pick swap.
It's one of the most one-sided trades in NBA history and while Bridges is a great player, he was nowhere near the level of superstar that would have usually warranted such a trade, and he has so far not matched the level of production that he was putting on the floor for the Nets.
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San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) forces a jump ball with New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) in the second half during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Low Numbers for Bridges
In the 2024-25 season, Bridges saw a slight decline in his production in scoring and rebounding, though his assist numbers did see a slight increase.
Last season was a worse story, though. Bridges averaged just 14.4 points per game, his worst scoring average since the fourth season of his career, though rebounding numbers experienced a slight increase and his assist averages matched the prior season's average.
You must be registered for see images attach
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) looks to move the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Still, Bridges scoring did not match up to the player the Knicks were expecting when they traded for him and as time went on in the regular season and Bridges continued to underperform, more and more scrutiny was applied to the trade.
Bridges knows more than anyone else how much he was underperforming and in a recent interview on 7pm in Brooklyn With Carmelo Anthony, Bridges shared just how much he's conscious of his performance and how much he wants to get better.
You must be registered for see images attach
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) warms up prior to game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
"I wasn't happy with my own play," Bridges said (via Hoops Hype). "I'm the ultimate competitor... All I think about is my job... When they feel; like I'm struggling, trust me, I know I am and I'm trying to do whatever it takes to get over that hump."
Postseason Redemption
He may not have gotten over the hump in the regular season, but all of that changed when it came to the playoffs.
You must be registered for see images attach
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) dribbles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
For so much of the Knicks' historic playoff run, it seemed like Bridges simply could not miss. He averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists during the 2026 playoffs, but the true standout of his contributions was his efficiency, where he shot an outstanding 55.9% from the field and 36.5% from three point range, providing a lift that the Knicks depended on in some of the most critical moments.
Now that the Knicks, Bridges included, are champions, it looks like all of those picks were well worth it, but a championship in the past clearly won't stop Bridges from striving to improve in the future.
Continue reading...
