In a thrilling contest that culminated in a 124-122 victory for the New York Knicks over the Brooklyn Nets, Mikal Bridges delivered an impressive performance, marking what many are considering his best game of the season. Following the game, teammate Josh Hart humorously remarked on Bridges' trade from Brooklyn, joking that he was 'traded for five 12th-graders.' This light-hearted comment speaks to the substantial haul of draft picks the Knicks sent to the Nets for Bridges during the offseason.

Hart, who shares a close bond with Bridges as part of the 'Nova Knicks'—a trio that includes Jalen Brunson—highlighted Bridges' impact on the game, expressing the team's satisfaction with his contributions. This camaraderie stems from their time at Villanova, where Hart and Bridges were teammates from 2015 to 2017, culminating in a national championship win in 2016. Although Hart's joke referred to the future picks—unprotected first-round selections the Nets will receive from the Knicks every other year from 2025 to 2031, plus a pick swap in 2028—there's a lighthearted inference about the potential age of the future players. In theory, the 2031 first-round pick could be a player currently in seventh grade, assuming they enter the draft at the age of 19.

Bridges' performance on the court has notably improved following a rocky start to the season. In the recent game, the 28-year-old recorded a season-high of 22 points, shooting 9-of-17 from the field, alongside five rebounds and four assists. He has showcased a notable improvement in his shooting, maintaining a 53.3 percent field goal percentage over his last three games. As the Knicks aim for continued success, particularly in pursuit of a championship, time will tell how Bridges' contributions will impact the team's trajectory and whether the initial trade will be viewed as an astute move or a miscalculation.