Brooklyn Nets' Mikal Bridges (1) goes to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, ... [+] during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.After a trade request from Kyrie Irving, which was quickly reacted to, the Brooklyn Nets finally took control of their own future when they followed up the Irving trade by shipping Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns for one of the greatest hauls in NBA history.
The key piece coming back, Mikal Bridges, holds the key to both Brooklyn's immediate and long-term future, and in more ways than one.
Let's dig into how.
Bridges as a player
This season, Bridges has taken a substantial leap in his offensive production, playing like a borderline All-Star. The 26-year-old averaged 17.2 points in 56 games for the Suns prior the trade, up from 14.2 the year before, and showcasing more on-ball creation than ever before.
It's clear Bridges is evolving into more than the 3&D player he's long been pegged as, adding a quality playmaking element to his game, as he's sporting 3.5 assists per game, also a career-high.
The long-limbed wing offers incredible positional fluidity, including the ability to play both shooting guard and power forward, one of the rarest combos in the game. By adding a reliable scoring component to his 6'7 frame, Bridges is putting himself in a position where he's likely to make several All-Star games in the future.
This, obviously, will help the Nets on the court, assuming they wish to stay competitive and not bottom out. We'll get to that later.
Brooklyn now has a player who might be one of the best plug and play options in the NBA due to his ability to play elite defense, and play off the ball offensively. Bridges can act in a supporting role, just as he did in Phoenix next to Devin Booker and Chris Paul for years, or he can function as a featured player without taking up a ton of possessions.
Bridges as a trade chip
The Nets received four unprotected first round selections from the Suns (scheduled to convey in 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029) as well as a 2028 first round pick swap option. That's obviously a major haul, but what if the Nets were to willingly bottom out entirely, using Bridges as a means to further stock their draft pick cupboard?
ESPN's Zach Lowe reported on his podcast, The Lowe Post, that there was an offer for Bridges that consisted of at least three fully unprotected first round selections, and possibly a fourth pick with protections on it.
Essentially, if that package is still available this summer, the Nets could sell high on Bridges and ultimately end up with seven unprotected picks, one protected, and a pick swap, all via Durant originally. And that's before exploring the market for Cam Johnson, who was also included in the trade.
Bridges, who'll be 27 before the beginning of the 2023-2024 season, will be in his prime and the timing probably couldn't be better in regards to optimizing a trade return for him. Perhaps, if Bridges is to keep exploring his on-ball creation, the Nets could even seek additional compensation, if by then Bridges looks like a clear-cut star instead of a high-utility role player.
So, what should the Nets do?
Opinions will be split, as several arguments can be made for both. However, given the roster currently around Bridges, it's fair to wonder how far exactly the Nets can go without significant roster upgrades.
A roster of Bridges, Johnson, Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and what has been a severely limited Ben Simmons isn't likely to go far anytime soon, and the age alignment is all over the place.
Further complicating matters is that Claxton will be an unrestricted free agent after next season, which means the Nets will have to make a call on his future soon as well.
By leaning into a full-on rebuild, the Nets could pivot off Bridges, Johnson, Claxton, Finney-Smith, and Dinwiddie, load up on future selections and young players to pair with Thomas, and not having to worry about attaching picks to get off the contract of Simmons. Instead, they can simply wait it out, as they would be years away from being competitive.
By accumulating a war chest of assets, the Nets also determine their own future, instead of putting it in the hands of established superstars, who insisted on wanting to run the show.
Building through the draft should give the Nets a better chance at maintaining control of their own process, while building a window that's open for longer.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Morten Stig Jensen, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2023/02/13/mikal-bridges-holds-key-to-brooklyn-nets-future/
By: Morten Stig Jensen, Contributor
Title: Mikal Bridges Holds Key To Brooklyn Nets Future
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2023/02/13/mikal-bridges-holds-key-to-brooklyn-nets-future/
Published Date: 02-14-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds record for most NBA career playoff wins?
LeBron James is the leader of the pack, with an impressive record of 174 wins in NBA Playoffs history, and 266 games played. It's not surprising that he is today's most desired basketball player.
Which NBA player is the NBA's all time scoring leader?
Lebron James is the NBA's all-time scoring leader. His career totals 38,388 points as of February 7th, 2023 . LeBron James second with 38,38th points on February 7th to break Karim's record. Karl Malone comes in third place, with 36.928 points. Kobe Bryant is fourth with 33,643 point. Michael Jordan is fifth with 32,292 points.
What is a trade exemption in NBA?
In the NBA, there is a trade exception that allows players to be traded away. This exception allows teams acquire players whose salary is higher than what they traded away. A team can use this exception over multiple seasons, and it does not count against their salary cap or luxury tax threshold. Trade exceptions provide a way for teams not to have to trim their rosters or make changes to their roster composition. This helps maintain a competitive balance between teams and avoid situations where some teams have an unfair advantage due to their financial situation.
It helps the league stay financially stable and allows teams to make changes without worrying about not being able to pay. Trade exceptions can be used to help teams win championships and are an essential part in roster construction.
Which NBA star is currently the most dominant scorer?
This question is subjective because different players play different ways that make them successful and unique. Kevin Durant is a popular choice for the NBA's best scorer. Stephen Curry and LeBron James are also good choices.
Kevin Durant is more than a shooting star. He's also an offensive powerhouse! This player is a serious player with two NBA Championships, 2 Finals MVPs, and a regular season MVP title.
What rivalry does the NBA have?
The NBA's most fierce rivalry is held by Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
With 12 meetings, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have been together the most of any NBA Finals teams. The Celtics have won nine out of the 12 meetings. Their first meeting took place in 1959. They both excelled over the next years, especially during 1960s-80s, when they would encounter each other six times and then three times. These two teams met twice more in the same time period, even though 2000 was a new millennium.
What is the difference in a technical foul from a flagrant offense in the NBA basketball?
A technical foul in the NBA is a penalty for unsportsmanlike behaviour, such as arguing with officials or excessive celebration. A technical foul allows you to make one free throw, while the opposing team can also take possession of your ball.
Flagrant fouls are when a player makes violent or aggressive contact with another player. It can result in two free shots for the opposing side and possession of a ball. Flagrant one and flagrant two are the two types of flagrant fouls. Flagrant one is less severe than Flagrant two and does not result in an ejection from the game.
Any illegal contact between two players is a personal foul. This usually refers to illegal hand-checking, pushing, pushing, or tripping an opponent. Personal fouls can lead to free throws or the possession of ball for the other team. However, unlike technical fouls and flagrant fouls, personal fouls do not necessarily reflect unsportsmanlike behaviour.
All fouls in the NBA may result in free throw attempts for the opposing team or possession of the ball. What the intention behind the foul and how severe the contact was are what will determine the difference between technical and personal fouls.
When did Bill Russell die?
"The great ones are the ones who play when it matters most." -Bill Russell
Legends live forever. Legends die when they stop playing.
For those few seconds, however, the greatest basketball player offered us a glimpse into his greatness.
Russell was conceived in February 1934. He passed away on July 31, 2022. He won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics in only 13 seasons.
Bill Russell was awarded five MVP awards, 12 All-Star selections, and inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was a brilliant leader and defender who revolutionized basketball with his passion for winning.
He turned the Celtics into one of the most successful dynasties in sports, from a weak team to one that was exemplary. He was unselfish and a strong competitor who encouraged his teammates to achieve their full potential.
Russell has inspired generations. His legacy will never be forgotten.
Bill Russell, Rest in Peace. Your legacy will be one of the most admired basketball players.
Statistics
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
External Links
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- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
How To
How does the NBA All-Star Game choose its players?
A combination of current player, media, and fan voting determines which 24 players will compete in the NBA All-Star Game. Fans account for 50 percent of the vote, while the media and current players each account for 25 percent. Each vote counts as one and all three groups must submit their ballots simultaneously. The players are selected from each conference by position (two guards, two forwards and one center). The NBA Commissioner can select a replacement player if a player is hurt or unable. The All-Star Game features a series of predetermined games in which the players are competing against each other. The team with the highest points total at the end after four quarters wins is declared the winner. Each year, the winning team receives a donation to charity.
The All-Star Game also presents a special award to the most valuable player. The All-Star Game draws together some of basketball's best talents. It is the most anticipated NBA event each year. Fans can watch their favorite players play against one another and find out who wins. The All-Star Game serves as a showcase of some of the most talented players in the NBA. It's something fans look forward each year to. The NBA All-Star Game will provide entertainment and talent with its unique selection process.
