The New York Knicks and forward Mikal Bridges have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension valued at $150 million, as confirmed by agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler. This extension includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and features a trade kicker, positioning Bridges for long-term stability within the franchise.

The contract comes on the heels of speculation from some NBA executives regarding the possibility that Bridges might have played the upcoming season on an expiring contract, potentially aiming to secure a deal closer to $200 million in the open market next summer. The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for a significant number of draft picks. This move reunited Bridges with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, as well as Donte DiVincenzo, who was later traded alongside Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns.

At the time of the trade, Bridges had two seasons and $48.2 million remaining on a previous four-year contract signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. Bridges had been transferred to the Nets earlier in February 2023 as part of the trade involving Kevin Durant. The Knicks’ willingness to acquire the 28-year-old Bridges for a substantial package of draft picks suggests a well-defined long-term strategy for the player. As a key player, Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game during the 2023-24 season while demonstrating his prowess as a defender. In the subsequent season, he played a crucial role in leading New York to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. Notably, Bridges has not missed a game throughout his seven-year career, showcasing an impressive level of durability.