Mikal Bridges has joined the New York Knicks and changed his jersey number from No. 1 to 25.
This move reunites him with his former Villanova teammates, strengthening the Knicks’ defense and adding excitement for the upcoming season.
- Mikal Bridges changes his Knicks jersey number from No. 1 to No. 25, reuniting with his Villanova teammates.
- Bridges adds strong defense to the Knicks’ wing position, teaming up with OG Anunoby.
- The Knicks, now strong contenders in the Eastern Conference, still need to prove they have enough offense.
Mikal Bridges Announces New Knicks Jersey Number
Mikal Bridges, who just joined the New York Knicks, has decided to switch his jersey number to 25 after first choosing No. 1.
Bridges himself announced the change, joking about the inconvenience for fans who had already bought his No. 1 jersey. He reassured them there was still time to get the new jersey before the season started.
Bridges is reuniting with his old Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo on the Knicks.
This reunion excites fans, as the group played well in college and now has a chance to compete in the NBA.
Mikal Bridges Strengthens Knicks’ Wing Position
Bridges wore No. 1 with the Brooklyn Nets but is returning to his old number 25, which he wore in high school, college, and with the Phoenix Suns.
When he joins the Knicks, he will form a strong defensive duo with OG Anunoby. Both players are known for their defense and can guard different positions, which will help key players like Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle perform better.
Bridges’ move to the Knicks was long anticipated, with teammates like Josh Hart joking about it. Despite rumors, Bridges clarified he did not ask to be traded from the Nets. The Nets decided to rebuild, which made the trade possible.
The Knicks are now seen as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, along with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Adding Bridges is a big reason why.
Mikal Bridges to Wear No. 25 for Knicks After Big Trade
The Knicks traded multiple first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets to get Mikal Bridges.
They traded Bojan Bogdanovic, Shake Milton, Mamadi Diakite, four unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031), a protected first-round pick in 2025 (via the Milwaukee Bucks), an unprotected first-round pick swap in 2028, and a 2025 fifth-rounder.
In return, they received Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, Juan Pablo Vaulet’s draft rights, and a 2026 second-round pick.
Bridges had a standout 2022-23 season with the Nets, averaging 26.1 points per game over 27 games. This was a high point in his career, as his usual scoring average is around 20 points per game.
With Bridges and Anunoby starting, the Knicks have a strong wing lineup supported by Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.
However, there are questions about whether Jalen Brunson can be the main scorer on a championship team and if the pairing of Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle will cause spacing problems on the court.
Knicks’ Offensive Power: Will It Match Their Defensive Strength?
The big question is whether the Knicks have enough offense to compete with top Eastern Conference teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
While their defense is expected to be very strong, the success of their offense, led by Brunson and supported by Bridges and Randle, will be crucial for their chances in the playoffs.
Fans are eager to see how this new Knicks team performs and whether they can meet the high expectations set by these big moves in the offseason.
