Bam Adebayo accuses Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of ‘tampering’ after Mikal Bridges trade

The Knicks acquired Bridges in exchange for several draft picks, including four unprotected first-round picks.

Bam Adebayo accuses Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of ‘tampering’ after Mikal Bridges trade

Miami Heat Bam Adebayo accuses the Knicks’ duo of Brunson and Hart of tampering in the Mikal Bridges trade

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo jokingly accused New York Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of tampering after the team acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. Adebayo made the comment on X after Brunson and Hart celebrated the trade by reposting a photo of their Villanova Wildcats days with Bridges.

Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart responded to Adebayo’s accusation, with Brunson telling him to “chill” and Hart asking to be allowed to celebrate in peace. The trade reunited the four Villanova teammates on the Knicks, with Bridges joining Brunson, Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo in New York.

@jalenbrunson1 @joshhart y’all was tampering !

Bam Adebayo wrote on X

The Knicks acquired Bridges in exchange for several draft picks, including four unprotected first-round picks. The trade was seen as a blockbuster move by the Knicks to bolster their roster and compete against the Boston Celtics. 

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The comment made by Bam Adebayo may have been tongue-in-cheek, but it raises questions about tampering in the NBA. The NBA has investigated the Knicks for tampering in the past, stripping them of a second-round pick in 2025 after a probe into their signing of Brunson in 2022. 

Nets initially wanted six first-round picks for Mikal Bridges, NBA Insider

The Brooklyn Nets were seeking an unprecedented haul for Mikal Bridges, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective as they reportedly asked for six first-round picks from interested teams. However, the New York Knicks managed to negotiate a slightly lower price, trading five unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick, and a pick swap for the 27-year-old forward.

Other teams that they talked to asked for six. So I guess if framed that way, the Knicks were able to talk 'em down with just five and a swap.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective

The trade has raised eyebrows, as Bridges has never made an All-Star team and his stats last season were solid but not spectacular. The Knicks’ massive offer has drawn comparisons to the trades involving Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Durant, which netted fewer picks.

Despite the high price, the Knicks are expected to continue their aggressive approach, attempting to re-sign OG Anunoby to pair with Bridges on the wing. This move could create a formidable defensive duo, but it remains to be seen if it will propel the Knicks to championship contention.

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