Mikal Bridges Prioritizes Team Success Over Personal Gain

Mikal Bridges has reaffirmed his commitment to the New York Knicks, recently stating he re-signed with the team for less than the maximum allowable salary in order to support their future championship aspirations. By opting for a four-year, $150 million extension in July, Bridges chose to leave approximately $6 million on the table.

In a candid discussion on Tuesday, Bridges said, "If I came here and preached how much I want to win, and tried to take every dollar and make it difficult for the organization, I'd just seem like a fraud, and that's not who I am. I want to win bad, and whatever it takes." His selfless approach highlights a strong team-oriented mentality, with Bridges expressing that he values the success of his teammates over maximizing his salary.

Furthermore, Bridges noted, "I love all the guys here. So, why wouldn't I want the next man up, that needs some money, why would I not give them the opportunity to get paid as well? I think I got a good amount of money. A couple more M's won't change my life, so I think it would be better to help everybody else out." This sentiment has been echoed by other players, including Jalen Brunson, who previously took more than $37 million less in his deal for his ongoing commitment to the franchise.

Both Bridges and Brunson have already amassed significant earnings, each surpassing $80 million in salaries as they head into the 2025-26 season. Their willingness to forgo a larger portion of their contracts has granted the Knicks crucial flexibility under the salary cap, which has been pivotal in their roster-building strategy. This summer, the Knicks capitalized on this flexibility to set the stage for competitive training camp battles, including one for the final roster spot among Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet, and Garrison Mathews.

With their strategic moves, the Knicks are looking to build upon their impressive run to the Eastern Conference Finals last spring, aiming for an even deeper playoff journey in 2026.