The New York Knicks have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension worth $150 million with wing Mikal Bridges, 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. Reports from The Athletic indicated that some NBA executives had speculated that Bridges might opt to play next season with an expiring contract in hopes of securing a deal closer to $200 million on the open market next summer.

Bridges joined the Knicks from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for a significant package of draft picks. This move reunited him with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, although DiVincenzo was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves three months later alongside Julius Randle in a deal for Karl-Anthony Towns. At the time of the trade, Bridges had two seasons and $48.2 million remaining on a four-year contract worth approximately $90.9 million, which he had signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. He was initially traded to the Nets in February 2023 as part of the deal involving Kevin Durant.

Bridges, a critical player for the Knicks, emerged as a leading option during the 2023-24 season, averaging 19.6 points on 43.6% shooting, including 37.2% from beyond the arc, along with 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His defensive prowess and length complement the gritty style of play that characterizes the Knicks. In the 2024-25 season, he further elevated his performance, averaging 17.6 points on 50.0% shooting as the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. Notably, Bridges has established himself as a durable player, having never missed a game during his seven-year career, averaging 35.8 minutes per game over the last three seasons. However, he has acknowledged periods of inconsistency, stating, 'I got to play better. I’ve been inconsistent.' Despite facing some challenges, Bridges provided invaluable contributions during the Knicks' playoff series victories over the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, although his performance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers was scrutinized. Ultimately, Bridges is now a long-term fixture with the Knicks, contributing to a roster that appears poised to contend for a championship for the first time in decades.