BREAKING NEWS: New York Knicks Shooting guard Mikal Bridges is the odd man out for new york Knicks now with Boston celtics also leave a message to new york Knicks head coach Mike Brown concerning….see more

Shockwaves rippled through the basketball world today as reports surfaced that **Mikal Bridges**, the newly acquired shooting guard for the **New York Knicks**, is now considered “the odd man out” in the team’s evolving roster plan. Just weeks after being traded from Brooklyn in a high-profile deal that stunned the city, Bridges now finds himself uncertain about his future — and the league is watching.

Adding fuel to the fire, sources close to the **Boston Celtics** — fresh off their 2025 NBA Championship — confirmed that the franchise has **sent a message** to Knicks head coach **Mike Brown**, offering pointed commentary about New York’s decision-making and team direction.

What was expected to be a triumphant new chapter in Bridges’ career has taken a sudden, confusing turn.

## **From Centerpiece to Question Mark**

When the Knicks traded for Bridges earlier this summer, fans and analysts hailed it as a masterstroke — a gritty, elite defender and rising two-way star joining forces with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle to bolster New York’s playoff hopes.

But now, barely a month into offseason team workouts, tensions are reportedly brewing behind closed doors.

> “The chemistry hasn’t clicked,” one Knicks insider said. “There’s an internal debate about where Bridges fits — or if he fits at all.”

The emergence of rookie sensation **Tariq Houston**, who has wowed in early practices, along with the return of high-volume scorer **RJ Barrett**, has created a sudden logjam at the wing. With Brunson commanding the offense and coach Mike Brown prioritizing pace and ball movement, Bridges’ methodical half-court style may no longer match the Knicks’ new identity.

## **Bridges Responds With Class — But Uncertainty**

Though he has yet to speak directly to the media, Mikal Bridges posted a cryptic message on Instagram just hours after the news broke:

> “Sometimes being quiet says more than speaking. Keep working. #GodsPlan 🙏”

Bridges has always been known for his professionalism and humility — but the message was not lost on fans or teammates. Within minutes, speculation swirled online, with trending hashtags like **#FreeMikal** and **#TradeBridgesNow** circulating among NBA Twitter.

> “I don’t know if Mikal’s the problem,” said one former teammate, anonymously. “But if the Knicks didn’t know how to use him, why go get him in the first place?”

## **Celtics Weigh In: “Don’t Waste a Two-Way Star”**

In an unusual twist, the **Boston Celtics** — division rivals and reigning NBA champions — didn’t stay silent. A high-ranking Celtics executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered this veiled message:

> “If the Knicks can’t figure out how to use a guy like Mikal Bridges, then maybe they’re not serious about contending. The league is watching.”

Even more eyebrow-raising, Celtics head coach **Joe Mazzulla** reportedly texted Knicks head coach Mike Brown directly, expressing concern that **“you’re overcomplicating a good thing.”**

While it’s not uncommon for coaches to exchange professional banter, insiders say the Celtics’ message was unusually pointed.

> “Boston doesn’t need Bridges — they’re stacked,” said ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “But this was about sending a signal: if you’re going to build a team to beat the champs, you better know what you’re doing.”

## **Mike Brown Under the Microscope**

After leading the Sacramento Kings back to the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, **Mike Brown** was hired by the Knicks in a bold offseason move to replace Tom Thibodeau. Brown’s emphasis on defensive discipline and team accountability was welcomed by the front office — but questions are now arising about fit, flexibility, and internal alignment.

> “There’s already a feeling around the league that the Knicks might be overcorrecting,” said former GM Bobby Marks. “You don’t bring in a Mike Brown-style coach and then load him up with finesse scorers and unbalanced wing depth. It’s a philosophical mismatch.”

Mike Brown briefly addressed the situation after today’s team practice.

> “We’re experimenting,” Brown said. “We have high-level talent across the board, and it’s my job to find the right combinations. That includes Mikal — he’s a pro, and he’s handled everything the right way.”

But when asked if Bridges would be starting in the preseason opener, Brown paused.

> “We’ll see,” he said flatly.

## **Trade Talk Heating Up**

Multiple league sources have confirmed that teams — including the **Memphis Grizzlies**, **Portland Trail Blazers**, and even the **Philadelphia 76ers** — have already expressed interest in acquiring Bridges if he becomes available.

A league executive told Bleacher Report:

> “If the Knicks are serious about moving him, half the league will call. He’s a plug-and-play two-way threat who never complains and plays winning basketball.”

Still, it remains unclear whether New York will actually pull the trigger. The front office invested major assets to land Bridges from Brooklyn, including two first-round picks and promising young forward Quentin Grimes.

“Backtracking now would be a PR nightmare,” said Knicks beat reporter Alan Hahn. “But so would burying Bridges on the bench.”

## **Fanbase Divided**

As expected, Knicks fans are split on the saga.

Some argue the team should lean into its new youth movement and ship Bridges to a contender, while others believe the Knicks are panicking too early.

> “This is why we can’t have nice things,” one Reddit user wrote. “We get a high-IQ two-way wing and immediately don’t know what to do with him.”

Others blamed Coach Mike Brown, calling his early rotations “confusing” and “out of sync.”

> “Bridges is a starter on 28 other teams,” a fan tweeted. “But on the Knicks, he’s a question mark? That’s coaching, not talent.”

## **What Happens Next?**

The Knicks front office, led by President Leon Rose, has not commented publicly but is reportedly “monitoring the situation closely.” Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges continues to show up, work hard, and maintain silence — letting his game speak louder than the drama.

Training camp officially begins next week, and all eyes will be on who starts at shooting guard — and how long Bridges stays in New York.

One thing is certain: the Celtics have already taken notice — and they’re not the only ones.

> “If the Knicks don’t want Mikal,” one rival executive said, “we’ll take him tomorrow.”

—

**UPDATE**: According to league sources, the Knicks are expected to meet privately with Bridges and his agent this weekend to “clarify expectations and role moving forward.” No trade has been requested — yet.