Could New York Knicks 'Complete Villanova Connection', Trade for Mikal Bridges?

The New York Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference, but there's always an eye on Manhattan's future.

New York's current run of prosperity has been built on the success of former Villanova Wildcats: Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 in the summer of 2022 before Josh Hart was added in a deal with Portland at the ensuing trade deadline. The current trifecta was completed last offseason when Donte DiVincenzo was brought in from Golden State.

Theorizing hypothetical trades for the Knicks' next offseason, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report took a page out of Hart's book and suggested the idea of adding a fourth Villanova alum in Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges.

"Bridges must be wondering whether Brooklyn will be able to build a winner around him while he remains in his prime," Bleacher Report writes. "And the Nets might be pondering the same thing. If they are, they might see more long-term value in what the Knicks have to offer (three first-round picks feels like a realistic foundation for a trade package) than what Bridges can provide."

While the Nets have been vocal in their desire to keep Bridges, there may be a re-evaluation into whether it's the right move, especially for a team that has no first-round pick. Hart has made several attempts to recruit Bridges to the other side of the city and recently compared his situation to a meme inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants.

If the Nets opted to trade Bridges, fewer teams could conjure an offer better than the Knicks, who carry a multitude of first-round picks accumulated over the past few offseasons. The Nets may be hesitant to trade their best player to their in-city rival, but if the Knicks cook up the best offer, it may be in their best interest to act.