The New York Knicks have secured a four-year, $150 million contract extension with wing player Mikal Bridges, as confirmed by agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler to Shams Charania of ESPN. The contract incorporates a player option for the 2029-30 season and includes a trade kicker, enhancing its complexity and appeal.

Prior to the extension, speculations by NBA executives indicated that Bridges might have opted to play the upcoming season on an expiring contract, potentially eyeing a value closer to $200 million in the open market the following summer. This development follows reports from Frank Isola of SiriusXM NBA Radio in June, which suggested that Bridges had emerged in trade discussions. The Knicks acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for a significant collection of draft picks. This trade resulted in Bridges joining his former Villanova teammates—Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo—although DiVincenzo was subsequently traded away along with 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 prior four-year contract worth $90.9 million, which he signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. Later, he was traded to the Nets in February 2023 as part of the Kevin Durant deal. The Knicks' decision to invest heavily in Bridges indicates a clear long-term strategic plan, as the franchise now possesses a core group comprising three-quarters of the so-called 'Nova Knicks,' alongside Towns, suggesting a promising future. In the 2023-24 season, playing as the Nets' primary option, Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game on a shooting percentage of 43.6%, including 37.2% from three-point range, while contributing 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Known for his considerable defensive abilities, Bridges has positioned himself as an ideal fit within the Knicks' defensive-minded framework. During the 2024-25 campaign, he recorded an average of 17.6 points on an impressive 50.0% shooting percentage, aiding the Knicks in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals—a first for the franchise since 2000.

Bridges has also earned the reputation of an durability, having never missed a game throughout his seven-year career, an impressive feat highlighted by an average of 35.8 minutes on the court over the past three seasons, including 37.0 minutes during the 2024-25 season. However, Bridges has acknowledged moments of inconsistency on the court, expressing a desire to improve his performance. In November of the previous year, he stated, 'I got to play better. I’ve been inconsistent. I’ve had some games where I’ve played good, some I haven’t. Just got to find a rhythm within the team.' Despite some fluctuations in performance, Bridges became an essential contributor to the Knicks' playoff victories over the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, delivering crucial baskets and key defensive plays. Nevertheless, he faced challenges during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, which was characterized as an 'overall underwhelming' series for him by sports analyses.

Ultimately, Mikal Bridges played a pivotal role on what many consider the best Knicks team since the 1990s, contributing to the franchise's notable postseason run. With his recent contract extension, Bridges solidifies his position within the Knicks, a team that now appears to be a formidable contender for championship aspirations for the first time in decades.