Analyst explains Knicks made Mikal Bridges trade for one reason

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Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

Mikal Bridges hasn’t yet found a permanent place in the New York Knicks’ offense at the start of the season. The former Brooklyn Nets winger is still figuring out where he fits in Tom Thibodeau’s loaded starting lineup.

However, Bridges never became a star offensive player. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who spoke on SNY’s “The Putback,” the Knicks added Bridges because of his elite defensive skills. The goal was and is to create the best defensive wing duo in the NBA.

“You give up five for Bridges not because you think he’s going to be a great offensive player,” MacMahon said. “You think he’s going to be better than before. But as a third or fourth option, he’s a really good offensive player over the course of his career.”

MacMahon continued.

“But you’re trading for Bridges because… This is a guy who was in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. You’re trading for him to pair with OG Anunoby, giving you arguably the best defensive tandem in the entire NBA. And then you can guard (Jalen) Brunson…The expectation is that he’s an absolutely elite defensive player.”

Under Thibodeau, the Knicks have developed a reputation for being an elite defensive unit. But entering the season, New York is currently ranked 24th in the NBA in defensive rating. The Knicks need more from Bridges and the rest of the roster if they want to become the stifling defense they are meant to be.

“Bridges and Anunoby have to stop the Celtics”

It’s no coincidence that New York has assembled a roster with potentially the best wing defense in the NBA. To slow down the Boston Celtics, you’ll have to find a way to keep Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in check. Every team in the NBA tried to defeat the All-Star duo last season and failed.

With Bridges and OG Anunoby, the Knicks have a good chance of keeping the Celtics’ star pair. In the playoffs, where adjustments are made on a game-by-game basis, Thibodeau’s team would have a chance to limit the impact Tatum and Brown can have as primary scorers.

Of course, limiting two of the NBA’s best offensive forwards will only happen if the Knicks’ defense evolves and everyone starts making plays in the hard yards. Thibodeau demands commitment to the small details. Yes, the Knicks are a much-improved offensive unit, but without the balance that comes with playing two-way basketball, New York will struggle to compete for a spot in the conference finals, let alone the NBA Finals.

Bill Simmons questions Knicks’ trade for Bridges

Veteran NBA reporter Bill Simmons isn’t sure about the Knicks’ decision to trade for Bridges. During a Nov. 5 episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” the longtime analyst shared his thoughts on why the Knicks may have moved too soon to add the defensive specialist to their roster.

“What was the point of the Bridges trade?” Simmons asked. “For what they gave up for him. For how little they use it. It’s kind of shocking. He’s like a 15-point player. He just stands in the corner in crunch time. I thought he would be a lot more involved in their offense…I thought they would use Bridges as more than just that complementary player…Sometimes he just seems so irrelevant to them.”

Knicks fans will no doubt overlook any offensive issues Bridges will face as he begins to perform at an elite level of defense. His job is primarily to block open shots, force rotations, and limit the opposing team’s best player.

New York has all the tools to be among the elite. Sooner or later it will click. When that happens, the rest of the NBA needs to take notice.

Adam Taylor is a basketball reporter who covers the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns for Heavy. He has also written for CelticsBlog, USA Today, Yardbarker and FanSided. Adam has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the Open University. More about Adam Taylor