The New York Knicks pulled off one of the first major moves of the 2024 NBA offseason in acquiring Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Aside from Mikal Bridges' on court impact, the trade is significant in that it reunites former Villanova teammates in Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. Following the announcement of the trade, the Villanova social media account posted a perfect reaction to the deal.

The school posted on X: “Our guys back together,” along with the hashtag #OnceAWildcatAlwaysAWildcat. Just a few weeks ago, Josh Hart jokingly tried to recruit Bridges to the Knicks. Earlier during the regular season, Bridges appeared as a guest on Hart and Jalen Brunson's podcast entitled, ‘The Roommates Show.' Hart also jokingly tried to recruit Bridges then to the Knicks after Bridges was asked if he often feels left out seeing his former college teammates all playing together.

The quartet of Brunson, Hart, DiVincenzo and Bridges were all a part of the 2015-16 Villanova team that won the NCAA championship. Brunson, Bridges and DiVincenzo were also on the 2017-18 championship team. Hart had since departed for the NBA.

Bridges is sure to make an immediate impact for the Knicks next season. This past year, he suited up in all 82 games for the Nets at a little over 34 minutes per game. He averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals with splits of 43.6 percent shooting from the field, 37.2 percent shooting from the three-point line and 81.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Knicks' Mikal Bridges trade may have OG Anunoby effect

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) celebrates his three point shot against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
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The Knicks may have made their first move of the 2024 NBA offseason, but it almost assuredly won't be their last. One major domino they have to address is the pending free agency of OG Anunoby. Anunoby was acquired in a trade with the Toronto Raptors in the early months of the 2023-24 season.

Just a couple of days ago, Anunoby opted out of his contract with the Knicks, thus becoming an unrestricted free agent. In the immediate aftermath of the Mikal Bridges trade, the Knicks reportedly are still hopeful that they can re-sign Anunoby as per Ian Begley of SNYtv.

Begley also reported that free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein could be priced out of the Knicks' plans. The Knicks finished this season as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. They defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the first round before falling to the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.