Knicks fans in flux over Mikal Bridges' jersey number switch: "Rip Cell Block 1"

The Mikal Bridges trade between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets left many surprised. The Knicks and Nets hadn't engaged in a trade since 1983 and it was the first time in decades that the bitter rivals set aside their rivalry and got together.

Bridges said he won't be wearing his signature number one jersey on his new team and would opt for a different number, revealing the new number to be 25.

Fans were quick to flood the comments section of the post and express their opinions on Bridges moving away from his signature number that had become his identity in the NBA.

"Rip Cell Block 1," one fan wrote.

Others joined in the fray and expressed their opinions on the former Nets player choosing to move away from his signature number.

"Can finally cop the jersey," @SirF1acko said.

"A homage to Ken Bannister," @EddieWilkowski7 said.

"Thank god #1 is cursed," @MrJwoogie said.

While some fans gave their varied opinions on the subject, some expressed disappointment as they bought the number one jersey.

"Send me a #25 one as compensation," @JrvNYK said.

"Now you gotta send me money for a new one," @MatteralM said.

With the Nets last season, Mikal Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists; however, his team failed to make the playoffs last season.

Mikal Bridges has great expectations on his shoulders after costing Knicks a fortune

Mikal Bridges cost the New York Knicks a fortune to bring him into Madison Square Garden. The Knicks gave up Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Daikite, and Shake Milton, four first-round picks, one 2028 pick swap and a second-round pick in 2025 in exchange for Bridges.

Bridges, however, will not be the only one to bear the burden of carrying his team this time. He will have great teammates playing alongside him, with Jalen Brunson most probably becoming the former Nets player's pick-and-roll partner.

The Knicks were successful last season; they made it to the Eastern Conference semi-finals, where the Indiana Pacers knocked them out. With Mikal Bridges on board, they are shaping up to be a strong team next season.