Knicks' Mikal Bridges, Mitchell Robinson Reportedly Discussed in NBA Trade Talks
The New York Knicks are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading two key members of their rotation this offseason.
According to Frank Isola of SiriusXM NBA Radio, Knicks swingman Mikal Bridges "has surfaced in trade discussions," and center Mitchell Robinson "is another player being discussed."
Isola's report came in the wake of Bridges becoming eligible for a contract extension on Wednesday, as he can receive a max deal of up to $156 million over four years. Isola noted that his likely impending deal is "one of the reasons" the Knicks are considering the possibility of trading him.
It was just a year ago that New York acquired Bridges from the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal that included five future first-round draft picks being sent to Brooklyn. While he had a solid year, he didn't make the two-way impact that was expected of him.
The Athletic's James L. Edwards III and Fred Katz described Bridges' first season with the Knicks as "choppy," and explained that his impressive performance in the first two rounds of the playoffs against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics was what the team needed from him all year before it lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
"He shied away from physicality all season, clanked too many jumpers and vacillated as a point-of-attack stopper before rising defensively against Detroit and Boston. ... But he backed off from physical play once again during the Pacers series," Edwards and Katz stated.
Robinson has battled injuries throughout his seven-year career with the Knicks, but the past two seasons have been particularly disheartening. He played a combined 48 games, including being limited to 17 regular-season games this year. He played in all 18 of New York's playoff games and had flashes of the defensive brilliance he was once known for, but it wasn't enough to get the team to the NBA Finals.
The Knicks are expected to be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference next season, but they will have to address a slew of questions this summer as they try to construct a competitive roster for their new head coach after the firing of Tom Thibodeau.
