Mikal Bridges Signs Contract Extension with New York Knicks

The New York Knicks and wing 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 agreement includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and features a trade kicker, indicating the Knicks’ commitment to keeping Bridges in their lineup for the foreseeable future.
This extension follows prior reports from Frank Isola of SiriusXM NBA Radio in June, which indicated that Bridges had emerged in trade discussions. The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for a significant number of draft picks. By joining the Knicks, Bridges reunited with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, although Donte DiVincenzo was later traded along with Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns.
At the time of the trade, Bridges had two seasons remaining on a four-year, $90.9 million contract that he signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. The Suns had previously traded Bridges to the Nets as part of the Kevin Durant deal in February 2023. The Knicks’ acquisition of the 28-year-old Bridges, especially at the expense of a substantial collection of draft picks, implies a carefully considered long-term strategy. As it stands, Bridges, along with his Villanova counterparts and Towns, forms a core that aims to elevate the team's performance in upcoming seasons. In the 2023-24 season, serving as the Nets' primary scoring option, Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game on 43.6% shooting, contributing 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals. His defensive capabilities have established him as a strong asset on a Knicks roster noted for its tenacity.
In the 2024-25 season, Bridges further demonstrated his value by averaging 17.6 points on an impressive 50% shooting, alongside 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds, helping lead New York to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance—the franchise's first since 2000. Bridges has earned the reputation of being the NBA's 'iron man,' having never missed a game in his seven-year career. This durability is highlighted by an average of 35.8 minutes played per game over the last three seasons, reaching a peak of 37.0 minutes per game in the 2024-25 season.
Despite these achievements, Bridges has acknowledged moments of inconsistency in his performance. Last November, he remarked on his struggles with rhythm within the team, citing the need to improve upon certain aspects of his game, including turnovers and defensive positioning. His efforts proved crucial during the Knicks' playoff series victories over the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, where he made key baskets and executed pivotal defensive plays. However, his performance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers was less stellar, with observers labeling it an 'overall underwhelming' showing.
Ultimately, Bridges has proven to be an integral part of what could be the most competitive Knicks team in decades, contributing significantly to the franchise's recent playoff success. With this newly signed long-term extension, he solidifies his role within a team that appears to be a legitimate contender for the championship in the coming years.








