The New York Knicks Secure Mikal Bridges
The New York Knicks have officially secured Mikal Bridges with a four-year contract extension valued at $150 million, as confirmed by a league source. In a strategic move, Bridges opted for a deal that is less than the maximum allowed, allowing the Knicks to stay within salary cap constraints while intensifying their pursuit for an NBA championship. This extension comes at an important juncture for the team, which already has six key players under contract for the next two seasons. ESPN was the first outlet to report this news.
Coaching Changes and Team Dynamics
This agreement follows the Knicks’ recent decision to appoint Mike Brown as their head coach, taking over from Tom Thibodeau. Brown will guide a team that made a significant playoff impact by reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.
Bridges’ Journey to the Knicks
Bridges joined the Knicks last summer in a notable trade with the Brooklyn Nets, marking the first collaboration between the two New York teams since 1983. The Knicks gave up a substantial package that included five future first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, a second-round pick, and Bojan Bogdanović in order to pair Bridges with standout wings OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. At the time, many viewed the trade as an overreach as Bridges had yet to earn an All-Star selection; however, the Knicks were convinced he could be the crucial element needed for their championship aspirations. Many around the league praised Bridges as an exceptional 3-and-D player due to his versatility and consistency, notably having never missed a game in his NBA career.
Performance and Future Outlook
Following the acquisition of Bridges, the Knicks also traded for Karl-Anthony Towns right before last season began. These key roster adjustments led the Knicks to achieve 51 regular-season wins and a deep playoff run that ended in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Although Bridges performed to mixed reviews during his early days in New York—experiencing inconsistency while adapting to a new defensive role under Thibodeau—he showed improvement in the playoffs, making pivotal defensive contributions that helped the Knicks secure wins against the Pistons and Celtics.
“I know I struggled a little bit this year, but I’m just getting comfortable,”
Bridges shared about his defensive performance during the playoffs.
On the offensive end, Bridges faced challenges; his three-point shooting percentage dropped to 35.4%, the lowest since his rookie year, and he only attempted 118 free throws, a figure he hadn’t seen since his inaugural season. While he struggled with three-point shots outside the corners, he remained one of the league’s top mid-range shooters.
Looking ahead, there had been speculation that Bridges might opt for free agency next summer to explore his value on the open market, especially considering potentially lucrative contracts signed by peers like OG Anunoby and Desmond Bane. Some analysts believed that if Bridges played on an expiring contract, he could emerge as one of the most sought-after free agents in the summer of 2026.
In a turn of events, Bridges and the Knicks came to an agreement that satisfies both parties, giving Bridges the financial security of the extension while enabling the Knicks to maintain their championship ambitions moving forward.
