Potential missile takeover of Mikal Bridges revisited

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – February 15: Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts after making … (+) a three-pointer during the second half of the game against Miami Heat at Barclays Center on February 15, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The Nets won 116-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this image, User consents to the terms of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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There were rumors last season that the Houston Rockets were pursuing Brooklyn Nets winger Mikal Bridges. According to some reports, they were offering shooting guard Jalen Green and some combination of Brooklyn’s draft picks. Nets owner Joe Tsai’s recent statements that he is moving toward building a more sustainable, long-term future have reignited speculation about a Bridges deal with the Rockets.

As a result of the blockbuster 2021 trade that sent star James Harden to the Nets, Houston has control of the entire future Capital of Brooklyn until 2027. The Rockets received the third pick in this year’s draft and have swap rights for 2025 and 2027; The Rockets own Brooklyn’s 2026 draft outright. Thus, Brooklyn does not retain control over its own future, eliminating one of the most common paths to reconstruction. Already, the Rockets used the 17th pick in the 2022 draft to select forward Tari Eason with the Nets’ draft pick this season.

Bridges is the only element of the Nets team that could persuade Rockets management to give up some of Brooklyn’s draft capital. But after finishing last season with 41 wins, would Houston still be interested? And if so, how many resources will it take for the Nets to stand down?

On paper, the long-armed winger would fit almost seamlessly into head coach Ime Udoka’s squad. A career 38% three-point shooter, he spread the floor and opened up space for budding star center Alperen Sengun. Being an elite defender, Bridges would make an already strong defensive team even stronger. Playing alongside forwards Jabari Smith Jr., Eason, Dillon Brooks and defenseman Amen Thompson, Bridges could give Udoka the opportunity to switch positions defensively.

Bridges, however, has just two years left on the four-year, $90 million contract he signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2022. He is scheduled to make about $23 million this season and $24.9 million in 2025-2026 before hitting unrestricted agency next summer when he turns 30. Around the same time, the Rockets will have to make tough financial decisions after many of the first-round draft picks they have selected at the top of the draft during the current rebuild. Sengun and shooting guard Jalen Green are already eligible for contract extensions this summer. Smith and Eason will be eligible next summer, followed by Thompson and fellow 2023 draftee Cam Whitmore the following summer.

At least some potential Core 6 workers could ultimately earn the maximum salary, or at least close to it. Each player has shown promise throughout his career, to varying degrees. Just last season, Sengun was fighting for an All-Star bid.

Another question may be whether Udoka would have the courage to add another rookie to his rotation and how many minutes such a player could play on a team with playoff aspirations. Adding Bridges would immediately boost a 41-win team closer to 50 wins and would have a much greater immediate impact than a rookie. Will Dillon Brooks and the third pick in this year’s draft be enough? I don’t think so. How many additional elections will it take for both sides to meet in the middle?