On Wednesday night, the New York Knicks sent Cam Reddish, Svi Mykhailiuk, Ryan Arcidiacono, and a protected first-round pick to the Trail Blazers in exchange for Josh Hart. The 27-year-old guard will be a huge upgrade for New York’s bench as the team looks to secure a playoff berth.
The Hart trade led to a heartwarming moment for Jalen Brunson, who had his Villanova jersey retired on Wednesday at halftime of the Wildcats’ game against DePaul. It’s fitting that Brunson learned that he’d be playing alongside his former Villanova teammate again at the university where their friendship first began.
Brunson and Hart teaming up together in New York caused Mikal Bridges, another teammate of theirs from Villanova, to tweet about it.
Jb and jhart🥲
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) February 9, 2023
Little did Bridges know, he’d be headed to New York City a few hours later, but not to the Knicks. In a blockbuster move that lit the NBA world on fire, the Nets traded Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren to the Suns in exchange for Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder (who has since been traded to the Bucks), four first-round picks, and a pick swap.
Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Nets’ Mikal Bridges together again in NYC
Less than an hour after the Knicks-Blazers trade was reported, Josh Hart tweeted out two emojis.
🧡💙
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 9, 2023
On Thursday leading up to the trade deadline, Hart sent out another tweet posing a question to Brunson and Bridges.
So when we doing dinner? @jalenbrunson1 @mikal_bridges
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 9, 2023
For the first time since 2017, Hart, Brunson, and Bridges are all in the same city again. Brooklyn was receiving interest for Bridges ahead of the deadline, but he’ll remain with the Nets for at least the remainder of the season. There should be enough time for the Villanova trio to squeeze in a few dinner dates.
On Monday, the Knicks will host the Nets. New York hasn’t beaten Brooklyn since 2020, so perhaps the Knicks will be able to snap a nine-game losing streak against the Nets. If a win doesn’t happen then, Brooklyn will be back at MSG on Mar. 1.
After being teammates and winning a championship together at Villanova, Brunson, and Hart are now rivals with Bridges. Let the fun begin.
Grade the Knicks Trade: New York acquires Josh Hart in Cam Reddish deal with Blazers
In the Knicks' first trade of the season, they started off with a banger, trading Cam Reddish, cap filler, and a protected pick for Josh Hart.