3 players wrongfully ranked above Knicks’ Jalen Brunson on The Ringer’s Top 100

3. Mikal Bridges, PHX, No. 46 Overall

This final case study is closer than Knicks fans might think. While Jalen Brunson has brought no shortage of consistency and scoring to MSG, his competitor, Mikal Bridges brings heaps to the table as well.

I recently wrote a piece analyzing a potential OG Anunoby-Knicks trade. Here, I detailed why every team in the league should be interested in a legitimate 3-and-D star.

Mikal Bridges represents this same level of value. The lanky and athletic wing has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier wing defenders. He is the type of player who competently takes on the opposing team’s top scorer each night.

Additionally, much like Lopez, Bridges boasts a dangerous outside shot. The fifth-year wing is a career 37.7% career shooter, who is nearing a 40% clip this season. This is an incredible luxury in terms of both offensive efficiency and floor spacing.

Bridges is also the NBA’s modern-day iron man, posting one of the most impressive consecutive streaks in recent memory. There is an old adage that says “the best ability is availability.” The Suns forward’s unique track record of being available each and every game certainly boosts his value.

While there is a lot to like about Bridges, it does seem as though he fits in the same category as Lopez. He is an awesome talent and he undoubtedly makes a great team even better. Yet, the key question remains: Does he move the needle as much as a player like Jalen Brunson?

For example, would Bridges be as valuable to a building team like the Knicks as Brunson has been? I tend to think not. While his two-way skills are all-world, he does not have the scoring abilities to carry a playoff-caliber franchise.

It’s close, but I give Brunson the slight edge.

3 ways Knicks can address major trade deadline needs

There are less than three weeks remaining until the trade deadline, and here are three ways the Knicks can address their major needs.