Why Nets holding Mikal Bridges is a dangerous gamble

The Brooklyn Nets have completed another week of their offseason, and a new story has emerged reiterating their support for Mikal Bridges. This time, it came from Fred Katz of The Athletic, who disproved the notion that Bridges will be acquired by the New York Knicks this summer.

According to league sources who have spoken with the Nets, “they have not indicated any interest in trading Bridges, and it’s not like they haven’t had opportunities,” Katz wrote. While other teams have made numerous first-round offers, Brooklyn has not participated. League insiders claim that Brooklyn’s front staff has informed teams that they see Bridges as a costar to the next big player they hope to trade for. That is the long-term strategy of the company.

This is the message that Brooklyn has conveyed to the league.

Although Marks has shown confidence in his ability to draw big names with those resources, it’s unclear exactly who those players would be. Donovan Mitchell was mentioned frequently, and if he chooses not to sign a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, reports suggest the Nets will be the team bidding most for the talented guard. Nevertheless, league insiders now predict Mitchell will sign a multi-year contract to return to Cleveland.

It will be challenging to find the big name who might be available in the upcoming season if Mitchell decides to resign. The contracts of a number of players, including Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Jamal Murray, Alperen Sengun, Brandon Ingram, Jimmy Butler, Lauri Markkanen, Jayson Tatum, and Mitchell, expire next summer. But in the modern NBA, these players hardly ever switch teams via free agency.