Knicks Rumors: Mikal Bridges’ Start Called ‘Disappointing’ by NBA Insider After Trade

Mikal Bridges’ time with the New York Knicks hasn’t quite gone as planned to this point.

The swingman was dealt to the Knicks before the 2024 NBA Draft and was expected to become a fixture in the core consisting of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby. The early returns have been inconsistent to this point, with Bridges averaging 16.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

All of those marks are down from his 2023-24 totals and Tim Bontemps of ESPN reported that those around the league believe Bridges needs to find a way to return to form.

“Disappointing. He has to find himself again,” a scout told Bontemps.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that even if he shows improvement, the hefty price tag the Knicks had to pay will make Bridges’ play even more scrutinized.

“Fair or not, the price they paid to trade for him will follow him,” one league executive told Windhorst.

New York traded away five total first-round picks and a pick swap in 2028, in addition to other assets, to acquire Bridges in the hopes that he could be the piece that brings the team to the next level. New York is currently 14-8 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, so it’s not as though Bridges’ play has hindered the team all that much.

At this early juncture, there’s still plenty of time for Bridges to find the form that helped him emerge as one of the NBA’s ascendant young wings before he arrived at Madison Square Garden.