Knicks’ Mikal Bridges trade grades: How the NBA world views New York’s big swing | Sporting News

The New York Knicks paid a big price to acquire Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

It cost the Knicks five first-round picks, plus a pick swap, to land Bridges, an elite 3-and-D wing who, on paper, slots in perfectly with the Knicks. He also makes the “Nova Knicks” stronger, as Bridges was college teammates with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo.

So far, the NBA world generally approves of the Knicks’ move, understanding the perfect fit while feeling a bit squeamish about the price.

Here are some of the grades experts are handing out.

Stephen Noh, Sporting News: B

Key quote: “Bridges is worth that price …. He still slots in as a clear No. 2 or 3 guy on a championship team, and he has a chance to do that for the Knicks, helping to relieve some of the massive pressure that Jalen Brunson faced last year as one of the only advantage creators on the team.”

Kevin Pelton, ESPN: B

Key quote: “Adding Bridges gives New York unparalleled wing depth … Much like the reigning champion Boston Celtics, New York will have multiple strong individual defenders to contain star-laden teams. Both teams are also similarly balanced on offense. Bridges should benefit from having more scoring around him after chafing under the strain of a key offensive role in Brooklyn.”

Zach Harper, The Athletic: A

Key quote: “We can start off by talking about how the 27-year-old Bridges is one of the better two-way players in the NBA … Adding Bridges to the mix with Hart, DiVincenzo and Brunson boosts a team that already boasts some of the best chemistry in the league.”

Sam Quinn, CBS: B+

Key quote: “This is why you hoard picks. The Knicks likely would have reached the Eastern Conference finals if they had stayed healthy in the playoffs. Now they are substantially better with a roster suited to challenge the reigning champions. Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA, and giving up all of this capital for a non-All-Star certainly won’t change that. But the Knicks have a chance to win the whole thing.”

Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report: C

Key quote: “Still, that price tag. That’s, uh, crazy. Even the most seasoned residents of Mikal Island would have to concede top-40 status is probably pushing it for him … In the short term, this is a clear win, but there is massive potential downside here.”