Knicks agree to blockbuster trade with rival Nets

The New York Knicks on Tuesday got the last piece of the Villanova puzzle they’ve been trying to complete over the last few years.

The Knicks agreed in principle to trade for Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic and a huge package of draft picks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The package reportedly includes four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first via the Milwaukee Bucks, one unprotected pick swap, and one second-round pick.

The Knicks’ three best players during their latest postseason run — Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo — all played for the Villanova Wildcats in the mid-2010s.

Brunson, Hart, DiVincenzo, and Bridges were all a part of the 2015-16 squad that won the national title. The group won again sans Hart two seasons later.

Bridges, who previously played for a nearby Nets affiliate, had long been linked to the Knicks’ Villanova movement. When the Knicks signed DiVincenzo last winter, Hart was already lobbying Bridges to join them.

Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart React to Knicks Trading for Mikal Bridges

After their best season in over a decade, the New York Knicks just got even more fun. New York pulled off a blockbuster trade Tuesday night, acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic and a flurry of draft picks. Soon after the trade was first reported, Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart were among those to chime in on social media:

Bridges now joins three of his former collegiate teammates at Villanova on the Knicks. Hart, Brunson, Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo were all on the 2015–16 Wildcats team that won a national championship.

The Knicks won 50 games last season for the first time since 2012–13. They fell short in the Eastern Conference semifinals, losing in seven games to the Indiana Pacers, but clearly are determined to take a leap next season with Bridges joining the mix.