Knicks close blockbuster deal to shake up Eastern Conference ahead of draft

The New York Knicks have made the first blockbuster transfer of the summer.

Mikal Bridges is reportedly headed to New York as part of a massive deal with the Brooklyn Nets. As part of the deal, the Knicks are sending Bojan Bogdanović, four unprotected first-round picks, an unprotected first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-round pick to Brooklyn, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

It’s an interesting transfer, especially considering the impact on former Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby, who enters unrestricted free agency this summer after spending the second half of the season with the Knicks. Toronto traded Anunoby to New York in December in a five-player deal that brought Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to the Raptors.

Anunoby is expected to sign a contract worth more than $35 million this summer, but that amount could go even higher if he attracts interest from other suitors, including the Philadelphia 76ers, who could chase the former All-Defense star with a max contract offer.

Bridges will lead the Knicks back to the top tier of the Eastern Conference after a year and a half with the Nets. He averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists and played a key role on defense as a 6’6″ wing player.

The former Villanova Wildcat is the latest Villanova product to join the Knicks alongside Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.

Toronto will not have the salary cap space to sign Anunoby this summer, even if the organization decides to part ways with Gary Trent Jr. and Bruce Brown as free agents.