The New York Knicks and forward Mikal Bridges have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension valued at $150 million, as reported by agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler. This deal includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and features a trade kicker, signifying the Knicks' commitment to Bridges as a vital component of their future roster.

Recent assessments from NBA executives suggested that Bridges might have opted to play through the upcoming season on an expiring contract with hopes of securing a deal close to $200 million in the free agent market next summer. The emergence of this contract was preceded by reports from SiriusXM NBA Radio's Frank Isola in June, which indicated that Bridges was involved in trade discussions. The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, transferring an extensive collection of draft picks in the process. This move reunited Bridges with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, despite DiVincenzo's subsequent trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns.

Bridges came to the Knicks with two seasons remaining on a four-year, $90.9 million contract initially signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. Following a trade that sent him to the Nets in February 2023 as part of the Kevin Durant deal, Bridges proved to be a valuable asset for the Knicks. Alongside Towns and his Villanova counterparts, Bridges is part of a core that appears poised to compete for years. During the 2023-24 season, Bridges was the Nets' leading scorer, averaging 19.6 points per game with a shooting efficiency of 43.6 percent, including 37.2 percent from three-point range, complemented by 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Notably, Bridges has not missed a game in his seven-year career, maintaining an impressive average of 35.8 minutes per game over the last three seasons and reaching 37.0 minutes in the 2024-25 season. While Bridges maintained a strong presence on defense, he acknowledged moments of inconsistency in his performance during interviews last November, expressing a desire to improve and find his rhythm within the team.

Bridges played a crucial role in the Knicks' playoff victories over the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, delivering key baskets and making significant defensive contributions. However, his performance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers drew mixed reviews, with some sources labeling it as an 'overall underwhelming' series. Nonetheless, Bridges remained an integral part of a Knicks team that many consider the strongest New York lineup since the 1990s, significantly contributing to a memorable postseason run. With this contract extension, Bridges solidifies his future with the Knicks, enhancing the team’s standing as a legitimate championship contender, something fans have eagerly anticipated for decades.