Will the Celtics be affected by the Knicks Mikal Bridges trade?

Some thoughts on how Mikal Bridges joining the Knicks may affect the Celtics.

Well, things are already getting interesting!

The New York Knicks added a certified bucket-getter in Mikal Bridges. The full trade looks like this:

Knicks get:

• Mikal Bridges

• 2026 second-round pick

Nets get:

• Bojan Bogdanovic

• 4 unprotected first-round picks in 2025, ‘27, ‘29, and ‘31

• Bucks top-four protected first-round pick

• 2025 second-round pick

• 2028 unprotected pick swap

Key points of the deal

• Bridges has 2 years remaining on his current contract.

• Knicks successfully flipped Bogdanovic, which was always the plan after acquiring him at the trade deadline.

• Nets have entered a full-scale rebuild.

• Knicks are arguably the 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference after this move.

• Milwaukee and Philadelphia will likely react with their own moves.

• “He’s also eligible to sign an extension for up to three years and $113 million in six months, and one wonders if a wink-wink arrangement was baked into this deal, as well,” The Athletic’s John Hollinger wrote.

First thoughts

The move was clearly designed to help them counter-act a Boston Celtics roster that not only dominated the Eastern Conference but the entire NBA.

“For the second time in six months, they traded for a player who can give them an antidote to Boston’s attack at both ends of the court,”

Jonathan Macri

wrote in today’s edition of the

Knicks Film School

Newsletter. "The sort of player who doesn’t force you to make a single compromise on either side of the ball, who they can deploy like the Swiss Army Knife any hopeful contender needs if they hope to have a shot at a ring in the years to come.”

I’ve been high on this iteration of the Knicks. Since they acquired OG Anunoby in December, I’ve seen them as a potential contender in the East. They play the game their way. They’re a nightmare opponent. Tom Thibodeau has constructed a monolithic culture on the defensive end. New York has its set of principles; they stick to them, they don’t bend and they don’t compromise.

Bridges, a former All-Defense selection, will slot into Thibodeau’s system with ease. He will elevate the switchiness on the wings and complement the talent around him. Suddenly, the Knicks have the defensive versatility and grit to compete with the most diverse and fluid offensive unit in the NBA — Boston.

Offensively, New York looked a level below the Celtics last season. The Knicks couldn’t attack mismatches at every position. They had a defined offensive hierarchy that was centered around the exceptional scoring talents of Jalen Brunson. Julius Randle was the clear second option when healthy.

Now, the Knicks could potentially have Brunson, Randle, OG Anunoby and Bridges in their starting lineup. All of them can score in bunches. All of them are three-level threats. Factor in Mitchell Robinson, and suddenly, the Knicks offense is a versatile weapon that can cook you in a multitude of ways.

During his time with the Nets, Bridges has thrived as their lead offensive threat. Last season, he averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists, shooting 49% from 2-point range and 37.2% from deep. He will likely slide into a tertiary scoring role with the Knicks, allowing him to thrive on both sides of the ball. His availability and consistency will also be big pluses to New York.

Nevertheless, Bridges isn’t the superstar talent some sections of the Knicks fanbase have been yearning for, but he could be the final piece to a puzzle the franchise has struggled to crack in the last half-century.

“The Knicks are doubling down on their current core, thrusting themselves into the championship conversation and reuniting Bridges with his championship Villanova teammates,” Esfandiar Baraheni wrote for Forbes. “…In a league that has been defined by parity as of late — 6 different champions in the last 6 seasons — the Knicks should feel confident that Bridges puts them in contention to win their first title in over 50 years.”

So…What does this mean for Boston?

Right now, nothing.

Coming into last season, we all viewed the Milwaukee Bucks as a genuine monster. Pairing Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo felt like a cheat code that could potentially see the Bucks break down any defense the league could throw their way. The perceived pick-and-roll threat of Milwaukee’s star duo was a ghoulish prospect.

The blueprint never made it off the production line. Milwaukee spluttered throughout the season and exited the postseason with a whimper. What worked on paper showed no signs of translating onto the hardwood. Of course, after an off-season of working together, we could see the Lillard/Giannis duo click next season.

My point is that the Knicks are just like the Bucks were last summer: A concept.

An NBA season is long.

New York has injury concerns with Robinson and Randle.

However, if things click, the Celtics will have a genuine threat on their hands.

Offensively, I still think Boston is the better team. They have more offensive talent and a better offensive system, and their fluidity makes them challenging to contain.

However, the Knicks have evened the playing field on the defensive end. They have an elite group of defensive talent. The Celtics — and every other team in the league — will be forced to dig deep on every possession. New York will look to strangle your offense into submission. Holding teams to under 100 points per game will likely become a pride point for New York.

Boston is also elite defensively, though. They held their opponents under 100 points in 11 of their 19 postseason games en route to Banner 18. As such, the Celtics likely still have the edge due to their offensive abilities. However, playoff games are fickle. Things can change in an instant. Momentum is everything. And going into Madison Square Garden is one of the league's most daunting tasks.

For now, the only thing that’s clear, is the Knicks have upgraded and will be arguably the biggest threat to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference. They’re not built around a heliocentric star like the Philadelphia 76ers. They’re not relying on the elite impact of a duo like the Bucks. Instead, they’re built in a similar fashion to the Celtics, where everyone can contribute at an elite level and can scale their production as needed.

When a team is constructed like the Celtics, I usually question whether the roster will be willing to make the necessary sacrifices on an individual and collective level. New York has circumvented those concerns by reuniting the Villanova core. These guys know each other. They’re close friends. They will do what needs to be done.

The NBA has been enjoying a period of parity. Brad Stevens’ moves last summer set the Celtics apart from everybody else. New York’s move to acquire Bridges has given them a shot at being on par with the Celtics — especially on the defensive end.

Part of being the champion is knowing that teams around you are going to make moves to try and bridge whatever gap they believe separates your roster from theirs. Leon Rose has drawn first blood in the Eastern Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder made their own versatility-driven trade last week when they snagged Alex Caruso in exchange for Josh Giddey.

Contending teams are trying to catch up. The NBA is a copycat league. Boston won their championship on the back of versatility and depth. Teams around the league will likely follow suit.

Boston is still the favorite (in my book) heading into next season. New York is my clear-cut number 2 in the East. This trade is good for the Eastern Conference. And it’s good to ensure the Celtics can feel someone breathing down their necks. The Knicks can fill the role of motivator for the Celtics.

Oh, and if these two teams face off in the 2025 ECF, it’s going to be a war. A war I’m excited to watch unfold. A war that could create a new rivalry. A rivalry that will push Boston toward another level. This move is good for the Celtics! I stops them resting on their laurels. It gives them a reason to push for the 1st seed again next season.

That’s a good thing.

In the grand scheme of things, the Knicks' bold move serves as a testament to the Celtics' wide-reaching impact on the league last season. Boston's blueprint for success - versatility, two-way play, and depth - is now the gold standard that others are scrambling to replicate.

This isn't just about the Knicks anymore; it's about the Celtics setting the pace for the entire NBA.

As we look ahead, the question isn't whether the Celtics can fend off this Nova-Knicks squad. Rather, it's how Boston will continue to evolve and stay ahead of the curve. Could the Celtics find ways to unlock even more from their current roster? Or will they double down on their existing strengths? Can a potential draft pick bring anything to the table? And will there be a ring-chasing vet that ties everything together neatly for the second unit?

One thing is certain: the 2024-25 season promises to be a battle.

The Celtics have thrown down the gauntlet with their championship run, and now the Knicks have made their counter-move. Other teams will undoubtedly look to follow New York’s lead and improve their own rosters in their own specific ways. It's up to Boston to prove that they're not just champions but trendsetters capable of staying one step ahead of those trying to catch up.

For Celtics fans, this isn't just about watching your team defend a title. It's about witnessing the potential birth of a dynasty in real time. The challenge posed by the Knicks and others isn't an obstacle - it's the inflection point in which legendary teams are forged. Buckle up, because the journey to repeat just got a lot more interesting.