Mikal Bridges Extends Contract with the New York Knicks

Mikal Bridges has reached an agreement with the New York Knicks on a four-year, $150 million contract extension, as confirmed by agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler. This deal includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and features a trade kicker. The contract comes on the heels of reports from Frank Isola of SiriusXM NBA Radio in June, indicating that Bridges was mentioned in trade discussions.
Bridges was acquired by the Knicks from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for a substantial collection of draft picks. His move to New York reunites him with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, although Donte DiVincenzo was traded three months later alongside Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. At the time of his trade to the Knicks, Bridges had two seasons remaining with a value of $48.2 million on his previous four-year, $90.9 million contract signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. The Suns had earlier traded Bridges to the Nets in a deal involving Kevin Durant in February 2023.
The Knicks clearly have a long-term strategy in mind for Bridges, who is regarded as a significant addition to the team. With Bridges, Brunson, Hart, and Towns, the Knicks have established a promising core for the future. During the 2023-24 season, Bridges emerged as the primary scoring option for the Nets, averaging 19.6 points with a shooting percentage of 43.6%, including 37.2% from three-point range, along with 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His defensive prowess adds considerable value to a Knicks team known for its grit. In the following season, he continued to be effective, averaging 17.6 points on 50.0% shooting and assisting in leading New York to the Eastern Conference Finals, their first appearance in that stage since 2000. Additionally, Bridges has maintained a remarkable availability record throughout his career, never having missed a game over his seven seasons, averaging 35.8 minutes per game in the last three seasons, with a high of 37.0 minutes in 2024-25.
Despite some inconsistencies on the court, Bridges has recognized areas for improvement in his performance. In November, he remarked on his need to perform better, acknowledging that he had experienced variations in his game. He specifically noted lapses that resulted in turnovers and defensive lapses but expressed confidence in his ability to find a rhythm with the team. Bridges played a critical role in the Knicks' playoff series victories over the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, delivering crucial plays during key moments. However, his performance was less impactful during the six-game loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, which was described as an 'overall underwhelming' series. Nonetheless, Bridges contributed significantly to what is arguably the best Knicks team since the 1990s, and his long-term commitment to the franchise positions the Knicks as a serious championship contender moving forward.








