Increased calls for Mikal Bridges trade ignoring painfully obvious Knicks reality

Daily Knicks writer Mark Nilon argues that growing calls to trade forward Mikal Bridges overlook the practical impossibility of moving him. Bridges is struggling early in the 2026-27 season, averaging a career-worst 6.1 points while shooting 30.8 percent from the floor. Although media figures like Stefan Bondy suggest a trade could resolve New York's salary cap constraints, Nilon asserts that other teams are unlikely to accept Bridges under his current form.

Nilon points out that Bridges' recently enacted four-year, $150 million contract makes him a difficult asset to trade without attaching valuable draft picks, which the Knicks lack after sending multiple selections to the Nets in 2024. With head coach Mike Brown already benching Bridges during late-game situations in favor of Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson, Nilon suggests the Knicks should officially move Bridges to the bench instead of pursuing an unrealistic trade.