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

This development follows speculations noted by The Athletic's Fred Katz and James L. Edwards III, where some NBA executives had anticipated Bridges might enter the upcoming season with an expiring contract, positioning himself for a potential higher value nearing $200 million in the summer free agency. The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, 2024, in exchange for a substantial package of draft picks. This move reunited Bridges with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, though DiVincenzo was subsequently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves alongside Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns.

At the time of the trade, Bridges had two seasons and $48.2 million remaining on a previous four-year contract valued at $90.9 million, which he originally signed with the Phoenix Suns in October 2021. Following a blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns in February 2023, Bridges became part of the Nets' lineup. The Knicks' decision to acquire the 28-year-old forward for such a significant draft haul indicates a clear long-term strategy. With Bridges, Brunson, Hart, and Towns, the Knicks have established a promising core for the future.

In the 2023-24 season, playing as the Nets' primary scoring option, Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game on 43.6% shooting and contributed with 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals. Known for his defensive capabilities, Bridges fits well within the Knicks' tough playing style. He went on to average 17.6 points on 50.0% shooting in the 2024-25 season, aiding New York in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, a milestone for the franchise not achieved since 2000. Notably, Bridges has consistently maintained his health throughout his seven-year career, missing no games and averaging 35.8 minutes of play per contest over the past three seasons, with a remarkable 37.0 minutes in 2024-25.

Despite his durable presence, Bridges acknowledged periods of inconsistency in his performance. In remarks made in November, he expressed the need to improve, saying, 'I got to play better. I’ve been inconsistent,' referring to his fluctuating contributions. Nevertheless, he emerged as a pivotal member of the Knicks during their playoff victories over the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, delivering crucial plays both offensively and defensively. While his performance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers was critiqued as underwhelming, Bridges remains a foundational element of a Knicks team that many believe is poised for a legitimate championship challenge for the first time in decades.