The ‘other’ Mikal Bridges trade working out for Brooklyn Nets

Thirteen days after the Mikal Bridges trade was finalized last July, the Brooklyn Nets made another deal, sending Mamadi Diakite, a 27-year-old with only $100,000 guaranteed, and long-forgotten draft stash, to the Memphis Grizzlies. Diakite had been a throw-in in the all-New York trade, having played only eight minutes in three games for the Knicks in 2023-24.

In return, Brooklyn got Ziaire Williams plus the 2030 Mavericks second rounder to sweeten things. The Grizzlies had given up on the 22-year-old who they had taken at No. 10 in the 2021 NBA Draft. They needed cap space so they could re-sign Luke Kennard. Even without Williams, you’d have to consider the deal a nice add-on to the Bridges…