This may be the question that answers all the others for New York. The Knicks sent nearly all of their draft capital to acquire Bridges, who is coming off a career-low season by many measures.
The evidence seems to suggest that 2023-24 was the exception, and the rest of Bridges’ work is more representative of what New York can expect. He was invaluable in Phoenix, terrific the year they shipped him to Brooklyn, reliable in the FIBA World Cup, and only drew ire playing for the directionless and undercoached Nets last year.
If he continues to be the iron man he has been, it will help solve the Knicks’ health and depth issues. If he continues to develop his creation that solves their bench and over-reliance on Brunson, and if he is still that 3-and-D champion, he will slide seamlessly into Donte DiVincenzo’s spot and help cover Towns on defense.