Knicks may acquire $104 million former DPOY via blockbuster Mikal Bridges swap, per writer

The New York Knicks will be scouring both the trade and free agency market this offseason with hopes of acquiring one more needle-pushing talent.

New York fell to the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, coming within two games of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. 

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns tried their best to lead the team to the promised land after becoming the first pair of Knicks to start together in the NBA All-Star Game since Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe in 1975, but it became clear that the fantastic scoring duo needed another capable option.

Fortunately for New York, recent reports have indicated that the Memphis Grizzlies might be in the market to ship away a perfect frontcourt co-star for Towns and desirable pick-and-roll partner for Brunson in 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and 2-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. If a deal were to be agreed upon, it's likely that the Knicks' two-way wing Mikal Bridges would be involved.

"But sources familiar with the situation tell ClutchPoints that at least one key member of the Knicks' front office has long been interested in Jackson Jr. as a trade target," ClutchPoints' Kris Pursiainen wrote Monday.

"The Grizzlies offered four first-round picks for Mikal Bridges to the Phoenix Suns in 2023. That's less than the five-pick return the Brooklyn Nets received from the Knicks."

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"That said, could the Grizzlies still value Bridges similarly to two or three first-round picks? That could make him a conversation starter as the centerpiece of a deal for Jackson Jr."

In the immediate aftermath of their shocking decision to trade Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Memphis could look to deal Jackson Jr. to initiate a full-scale rebuild. 

Pursiainen suggests that the Knicks could offer the Grizzlies a package consisting of both Bridges and Mitchell Robinson attached to one first-round pick and three second-round selections to land Jackson Jr., Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar. 

If the Knicks can create a Big 3 of Brunson, Towns and Jackson Jr., the storied organization could certainly compete for an NBA title in what should be a wide-open Eastern Conference in 2025-26.

At just 25 years old, the 2-time blocks champion and 3-time All-Defensive Team selection arguably authored his best offensive season yet for Memphis in 2024-25, as he contributed 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists on a solid 59.1% true shooting percentage. The 6-foot-10 frontcourt star also knocked down 37.5% of his 5.3 attempts from three-point range. 

Losing Bridges in this deal would sting for the Knicks, but a talent of Jackson Jr.'s caliber could be exactly what the team needs if they wish to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy next season.

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