The New York Knicks and forward Mikal Bridges have finalized a four-year contract extension valued at $150 million, according to agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler. This agreement includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and features a trade kicker, reflecting the Knicks' confidence in Bridges as a key player for their future.

Prior to this extension, speculation existed among NBA executives regarding whether Bridges might play the upcoming season on an expiring contract, potentially aiming for closer to $200 million on the open market the following summer. This extension marks a notable transition for Bridges, who was acquired by the Knicks from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for multiple draft picks. Upon joining the Knicks, Bridges reunited with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, although DiVincenzo was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves alongside Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns just three months later.

At the time of his acquisition, Bridges had two years and $48.2 million left on a four-year, $90.9 million contract he initially signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. His trajectory shifted when he was traded to the Nets as part of the deal for Kevin Durant in February 2023. The Knicks’ decision to secure Bridges with a hefty investment indicates a long-term strategy for the organization, with Bridges now forming a core alongside his former Villanova teammates and Karl-Anthony Towns. In the 2023-24 season, serving as the primary scoring option for the Nets, Bridges averaged 19.6 points with a shooting percentage of 43.6%. Notably, he also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. His defensive prowess enhances his fit within the Knicks' gritty style of play. During the 2024-25 season, he recorded averages of 17.6 points on an impressive 50% shooting, contributing to the Knicks’ return to the Eastern Conference Finals, their first appearance since 2000. Bridges is recognized as one of the league’s most durable players, having never missed a game throughout his seven-year career, and averaged 35.8 minutes per game over the last three seasons. This makes his consistency and endurance all the more impressive.

However, Bridges did face moments of inconsistency on the court, a situation he acknowledged himself. 'I got to play better. I’ve been inconsistent,' he remarked last November. His performance, while impactful in the playoff series against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, saw him struggle in the six-game series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, which was described by analysts as an 'overall underwhelming' showing. Nonetheless, Bridges played a crucial role in the Knicks' resurgence this season, contributing significantly to what many consider the best Knicks team since the 1990s. With the extension now in place, Bridges is committed to the Knicks for the long term, further solidifying the team's status as a potential championship contender for the first time in decades.