The New York Knicks have finalized a significant four-year, $150 million contract extension with wing Mikal Bridges, as confirmed by agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler to ESPN's Shams Charania. This agreement includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and features a trade kicker, indicating the organization's commitment to Bridges.

Prior to this extension, some NBA executives speculated that Bridges might opt to play the next season on an expiring contract, aiming for a more lucrative deal on the open market in the following summer. This contract extension follows reports from SiriusXM NBA Radio's Frank Isola in June that suggested Bridges had entered trade discussions. The Knicks previously acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for a considerable package of draft picks.

Bridges joined former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart in New York, although Hart was traded three months later alongside Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. At the time of the trade to the Knicks, Bridges had two seasons and $48.2 million remaining on a four-year, $90,900,000 contract originally signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. The Suns had traded him to the Nets as part of the Kevin Durant deal in February 2023. The Knicks acquired Bridges, viewing him as a key part of their future, and as the 28-year-old player enters this new deal, he forms a crucial component of the Knicks’ core, alongside Towns and his Villanova connections.

During the 2023-24 season, Bridges established himself as the Nets' primary offensive option, averaging 19.6 points per game on 43.6% shooting, including 37.2% from beyond the arc, while also contributing 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals. His substantial defensive capabilities make him a valuable asset to the Knicks, enhancing the team's competitive edge. In the subsequent 2024-25 season, Bridges averaged 17.6 points with a shooting efficiency of 50.0%, along with 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds, playing a pivotal role in leading New York to the Eastern Conference Finals, marking their first appearance in that round since 2000.

Notably, Bridges has earned the reputation of being the NBA's iron man, having never missed a game throughout his seven-year career. His stamina is reflected in a remarkable average of 35.8 minutes per game over the last three seasons, including an impressive 37.0 minutes per game in 2024-25. Despite these achievements, Bridges has acknowledged moments of inconsistency on the court throughout the season, emphasizing the need to establish a rhythm with the team's dynamics.

In the playoffs, Bridges was instrumental in securing series victories against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, making crucial shots and defensive plays. However, he faced challenges during the Eastern Conference Finals in a six-game series against the Indiana Pacers, which was characterized by an overall underwhelming performance, as described by observers. Regardless, Bridges' contributions positioned him as a fundamental part of a Knicks team that is seen as one of the franchise's strongest lineups since the 1990s, as he now looks forward to a long-term future with the organization, reinforcing a group that appears to have championship potential for the first time in decades.