Heat's Bam Adebayo Jokes Knicks' Brunson, Hart Were 'Tampering' Before Bridges Trade

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo jokingly questioned the behind-the-scenes machinations leading up to Mikal Bridges' reported trade from the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that Bridges will be moving across the Big Apple to Madison Square Garden. Adebayo playfully accused Knicks players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of tampering with their former college teammate at Villanova.

Perhaps the "Nova Knicks" were totally in the dark as this unfolded. While Bridges had been the subject of trade rumors in the past, Tuesday's deal seemed to come pretty quickly without much warning.

By the letter of the law, any one of Brunson, Hart or fellow Wildcats alumnus Donte DiVincenzo would've run afoul of the NBA's anti-tampering rules if they had reached out directly to Bridges before the trade.

But tampering runs rampant around the league during the offseason, and only the most egregious offenders are usually punished.

Plus, it's doubtful either the Nets or Knicks will want to raise any concerns because they will have both come away thrilled with their return from Tuesday's swap.