Overview
- The trade that brought Mikal Bridges to New York cost five first-round picks and produced heavy fan scrutiny during his first two seasons with the Knicks.
- Winning the NBA title in June quieted many critics and produced the fan rallying cry “f–k them picks,” but Bridges says he still does not know if he is fully appreciated.
- Bridges told reporters he holds himself accountable, that scrutiny helped motivate him, and that personal standards matter more to him than public validation.
- Coach Mike Brown publicly warned bench players after practice, confirmed Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart as the players who will play, and said everyone else must fight for minutes.
- The team is expected to fill the 14th roster spot with a center and the battle appears to come down to James Wiseman, Tony Bradley or Drew Eubanks with salary‑cap and luxury‑tax considerations shaping the final decision.