A handful of teams are reportedly eyeing Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges, per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
According to Fischer, the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz are all teams that could make a push to land Bridges this offseason.
“Brooklyn Nets swingman Mikal Bridges, according to league sources, is a player to monitor among Utah’s most aggressive aspirations,” Fischer wrote. “The Jazz are said to be right in the mix with Houston, holding the No. 3 pick, and New York, where three of Bridges’ college teammates currently play, among the teams that continue to check with Brooklyn about the availability of its 27-year-old swingman.”
Fischer noted that the Jazz having “substantial” salaries for John Collins ($26.5 million) and Jordan Clarkson ($14 million) could be a factor in a potential trade.
Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last year as the Nets struggled, finishing the year 32-50. Bridges seems capable of being an All-Star level player, but he’s still looking to make the jump after his sixth NBA campaign.
Of the teams interested in Bridges, going across town to play for the Knicks could be the most desirable option for him. There, he would have the chance to play with his Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo while also joining a roster seemingly on the brink of competing for an NBA Finals.
New York was a game away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season and could benefit greatly from a player like Bridges.
Both the Rockets and Jazz are likely a few pieces away from being Finals contenders, but adding Bridges could be a solid start.
Fischer noted that teams picking behind the Rockets at No. 3 in this week’s NBA draft “maintain the team is motivated” to trade away that pick in their win-now pursuit. That is especially notable considering the Nets don’t have a draft pick this year and are reportedly looking to add one.
But for Bridges to end up playing for a new team next year, the Nets would first have to be willing to trade him, which isn’t a guarantee considering the role he plays for the team.