The Knicks and forward Mikal Bridges have agreed to a four-year, $150MM contract extension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link). The deal will include a player option for 2029/30 and a trade kicker.
As Charania notes in a follow-up tweet, Bridges is accepting a deal slightly lower than the max he could have received in an extension, which was $156.2MM. By taking a small discount, Bridges will help the Knicks maintain a little more roster flexibility moving forward. Teammate Jalen Brunson took a similar approach when extending last year.
Bridges was entering the last year of his current contract and would have become eligible for an additional year and a higher starting salary if he had reached free agency in 2026.
The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Nets in the summer of 2024 for a package that included five first-round picks, two of which became Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore last month. In his first season with the Knicks, Bridges averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while appearing in all 82 regular season contests. He hasn’t missed a game in his career.
Bridges’ first season in New York was up and down — his 35.4% three-point percentage was his lowest mark since his rookie season. However, he helped the Knicks make the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years and remains a key piece of the future.
Brunson, OG Anunoby and Bridges are all now under contract through at least ’27/28, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart hold player options for that season.
Bridges will be ineligible to be traded for six months once the deal is officially finalized.
It would have been fair two years ago. As of today it is an overpay to me
What it suggests to me is they strongly believe things will be different in terms of his play with a new coach
Havlicek stole the ball:
One season shouldn’t change everything. Let’s see if he’s more relaxed this season after that first year adjustment with a new team with a lot of expectations.
He’s the most durable player in the NBA. He never missed a game in his career.
He can guard three positions at a high level.
He’s a really good third option for a championship caliber team.
He was third in the NBA in minutes per game.
“He’s the most durable player in the NBA. He never missed a game in his career.” this is the NBA though, this usually means he is due for a big injury.
The way karma plays out is guys will sign for being durable then get a big injury. Always happens. Might not be next season, but no shot he plays all 82 for the 4 years.
Bridges showed that he was capable of making huge plays on both sides of the ball, so I’m totally on board with this. His first season in NYC was a little uneven but I’m fairly certain he’ll he much better going forward. Sometimes it takes time to build that chemistry. It’s one series, but don’t forget how instrumental he was in the Knicks beating Boston.
After an uneven season in Bklyn…. that’s said, it does depend a lot on the system they run. And with Tom, they were very dependent on Brunson.. if they spread the ball around more, Mikal could play a bigger role.
Part of that means Bridges has to be more aggressive. I agree and thinking coach Brown will do that.
Ages when the season starts
Jalen Brunson
29 years old
Karl Anthony-Towns
29 years old
O.G. Anunoby
28 years old
Mikal Bridges
29 years old
Josh Hart
30 years old
Mitchell Robinson
27 years old
Miles McBride
25 years old
Jordan Clarkson
33 years old
Guerschon Yabusele
29 years old
So Jordan Clarkson is out his prime and Miles McBride haven’t entered his prime.
So this is a team that is built for a championship run.
They have possibly the best 9 man rotation in the NBA.
The only thing is they have to be extremely healthy because they don’t have much depth behind these guys.
Mike Brown is a defensive head coach but I see him scaling back on players minutes some and trusting his bench more. Unlike Tom Thinodeau.
You’re right, but with the cap rules being what they are there can’t be too many teams with much depth beyond the first nine.
The do have depth. The French kid is actually really good and could get some minutes and play spot minutes. Same as hulk. He showed down the stretch he could come in for 10 minutes and be a positive. They still have one more roster spot that they can add another veteran in. Mike Brown is a better coach and should be able to get the young guys some run. So I would say on any given night there should be 10 deep. And spot minutes. They should be about 12 deep when there’s injuries using their young guard and young big men for about 8 to 10 minutes when needed.
“They have possibly the best 9 man rotation in the NBA.”
Delusional. They have all won nothing. Who cares about the ages of players who aren’t ever going to win a ring in this league?
Nuggets, OKC, Rockets, Warriors (when they finish their offseason), Hawks, Wolves and Magic all are just as good if not better 1-9 than the Knicks.
You say depth, but that’s 9 players right there. Not much of a need to go beyond that aside from fouls in game and injuries during the season. Thankfully Bridges is solid.
You are correct. Let’s be honest. The knicks were better than Indiana last year. The only reason why the Knicks lost to Indiana was because they were out coached. Bottom line. To be honest it’s not Rick Carlisle’s first time doing it he is a really good championship coach. As much as I love tibs, he got out coached for sure. The fact that he never played his bench and couldn’t spot players 5 to 10 minutes. Even 5 to 7 minutes shows that he really didn’t know what he was doing as a coach in primetime playoff. I think that affected Bridges and having Mike Brown you’ll see a big improvement and what he has to do. 37 million a year isn’t really that bad for a two-way player and I think we’ll see a little bit more adjustments and plays actually run for him that fit his game. He’s really good in the mid-range. We don’t need him just taking threes all game. He can come off pick and rolls. He can do other things so I think you’ll see an approved Bridges and this is a great signing
The Knicks were not better than the Pacers. Jeez, come on. The Pacers practically won it all.
Knick won game won. coaching lost that game. Coaching lost game 4 also. Didn’t sub right wait too long to put bench players in. And allow Thomas Brian to go off on the team basically because it the starters retired. Dylan wright played really well in the regular season. Didn’t use him at all. So yes they were the better team. Cleveland was a regular season team and any person here thinking that they would actually go to the NBA finals was absolutely insane. The knicks nor bos we’re not scared of Cleveland in the playoffs. They were regular season team. So yes Tibs got out coach It’s not the first time Rick Carlisle’s done it. He’s done it three or four different times and his NBA history out coaching teams with lesser talent 2011 anyone. 2006 run anyone. Just say you don’t know basketball. I’m okay with that
yawn. Tom got a lot out of that group. Would another coach have gotten more from them? That’s impossible to say. Maybe John Wooden wins another game.
Would the Knicks have beaten the Thunder? um, i don’t think so. but I guess since you definitely know basketball, then I guess I believe you…
Let’s speak xo’s since y’all who play a little pick up think you know basketball. Thibs got the best of the group shows me you know nothing about real basketball and probably never played past highschool if you did. If he got the most out of the group why was Bridges playing 40 something minutes? He got the best of the group but they ran 1-4 flat. No plays pick/roll and iso ball every play. Name a ribs play. Name a horns play they ran all series. See when you hide on the internet and act like you know what your talking about I’ll call you out. Let’s have the basketball discussion.
Game 1- had 16 point lead was playing well and put Bronson back in the game. Foul up 3 instead of playing defense and getting a stop. Played your offensive line up up 7 with 54 seconds to go. You can t lose a game like that you change momentum. Think 1994 playoffs hus/Orlando.
I could keep going. Delson wright is a defender never got off the bench. Could have guarded and gave Bronson a rest. Never played shamet until game 3. Left cam Payne out there for game 2 and that’s when the game got away. Tomas Bryant was in the game and kat played the full 3rd quarter and got out work because he was tired. Could have bought 3 minutes of defense and rested kat nullifying the 5 point lead to go into the 4th quarter.
Bottom line Tibs had a Ferrari and didn’t do any maintenance on it. Would they beat the thunder we don’t know. Thunder played Denver Indy to a game 7 so obviously they would have had a chance. Bottom line Tibs got out coached lost game 1 and game 4 due to coaching.
Pacers were underrated by everyone. They used that to their advantage. But Cavs were hurt. They don’t beat the Cavs if they are healthy. Knicks were outcoached. Pacers exposed them. Knicks had long time to make bench work better. Thibs chose not to. Even could have signed TJWarren for playoffs. Rose has to accept guilt on this too. Point is Pacers showed out and Knicks didn’t. Thibs pay the price for it.
I like what Knicks did this yr. But Towns and Brunson defense still needs to be addressed.
Cavs, Sixers, Knicks this year ….
Thank you someone with basketball knowledge and articulated your opinion. I agree a loss is a loss. However I’m a Knicks fan and not letting them off the hook. Hopefully they come ready to play and have plays and improve defense and us the bench. I forgot about TJ Warren. Great call out
Saying Thibs got out coached (true) and saying unequivocally that the Knicks would’ve beaten the Pacers with a better coach are two very different things. It was certainly not an automatic. Nor is it automatic Brown will be a significant upgrade, although I think he will run a better offensive system.
Knicks manhandled the team that was supposed to come out from the east. Thibs was out coached, thus the change.
And the Pacers were just better.
This guys hasn’t said 1 basketball knowledgeable thing. All he says is pacers were better. He doesn’t know basketball. He will revert to insult next because their is know basketball knowledge
So far only 1 of us has used insults to express themselves… who is that?
Btw as with Al, I’m happy to throw insults back at you if you want to continue on that track. But let me just say your fan bias is coming thru loud and clear. I was also rooting hard for the Knicks all the way thru the playoffs but I can also be honest about their limitations and who was the better team.
If it makes some ppl sleep better at night to frame it as the Pacers peaked or just got hot in the playoffs, then go ahead. I did the same after they beat the Bucks. Then I said that after they beat the Cavs, but then I began to give them the respect they deserved. Even against a banged up Cavs team, it was impressive. When ppl said the Knicks are going to roll right over the Pacers, I said I don’t think so.
But believe me, I dismissed game 1 against the Knicks because no one ever had a heater like Nesmith in that game. But anyone thinking the Pacers were fluking their way thru the playoffs after they went up 2-0 on the Knicks was delusional. I knew the series wasn’t over but to to suggest that the Knicks were better than this team… absolutely not.
I’ll just end with, the Pacers could have won it all if Hali doesn’t get injured in g7. Heck I think the Knicks would have given the Thunder a good run also, but the Knicks were beaten.. if you want to tell yourself that they were the better team, no one is gonna stop you. But it doesn’t work that way just because it was your team. They lost in 6 games with their best players on the court. The Pacers were just better when they met in the playoffs. It doesn’t matter who was better in December or which team won more games or who runs a better pnr.
You are arguing with yourself. No insults. The AL guy who i don’t know is giving a basketball analysis from a xo standpoint. He is not saying I feel.
Nobody is saying the pacers didn’t win far and square. They beat the Knicks. What we are saying is the Knicks should have one and we our holding the team accountable. They were out coached. The players scored enough and we’re in each game with the coaching hiccups. That means with better game plans. Running plays utilizing different line ups the Knicks could have won in 5-6 games.
As for game 1. It was coaching. The man hit 3 threes and they didn’t take it away. On top of that putting Bronson back into the game. Fouling up 3 instead of forcing a miss. I could name play after to play the coaching. We’re not even going to talk about game two when he didn’t call a time out get get Bronson back in the game down the stretch. Not using deloin wright or shamt. These are coaching mistakes. Last but not least what plays did Tibs run. They ran a 1-5 pick and roll like they were Stockton and Malone. And that’s not Kat and Bronson strength.
My hat goes off to Indiana Great year but and they deserve the wins.
Al I dont agree with Cleveland I agree with everything else. I believe they are a regular season team. The back court is too small. It’s like Portland and with dame and CJ. They need Mitchell to play point. He is only 6″3. Get a bigger 2 guard. They had no one to guard the back court. I do think Cleveland still could have won if they were healthy. But I don’t think they are a threat to win a title. What do you think?
oh give it a rest. sure, if I don’t agree with you then I don’t know basketball. ok dude….
All in….Knicks need to make it count before the CBA fairy comes looking for teeth.
Fair price he is a good two way player who can be your second or third option . They probably trade KAT within a year or two .
Thibs didn’t know what to do with Bridges. He’s much closer to the Brooklyn player he was a few years ago than what he was last year.
“Hey, wait a minute ……..”
– Kuminga/Giddey/Thomas
dont forget Quickley – its a “big 4” holding up the market lol
Ben Saraf gonna be a contributor to a championship team at some capacity. Bridges might have better numbers but doesn’t have that edge that’s necessary to win it all.
Nets got so much in that trade. Happy for them that they’re finally trying to build it properly instead of signing big 3’s in FA.
Kudos to them for not just wasting money in the off-season on a big name despite being the only team with cap space
“2WayBridges” ……. thank you my brother for thinking team first 🙏 . Now let’s do this.
Have to love those Villanova guys.
I’m the first to say Mikal should have scored more points. Cause the truth is the team needs him to. Has to be more selfish this year. For a first year I’m good with Mikal. Knicks don’t beat Celtics without him. He showed us all this is a 2way sport. And in NY we have 2WayBridges ….
Do NY need Brooklyn Bridges or Phoenix Bridges? I’d say the Phoenix version. Pretty much the best perimeter defender in the league, very efficient shooting, did everything so well you couldn’t keep him off the floor.
Is what he was doing in Brooklyn on higher usage applicable to what NY need?
And for God’s sake, don’t play him 82 games 37 minutes a night. 76-78 games, 32-33 mins is the formula.
76-78 games for a player who has never missed a game in their entire life is not the formula.
Why? You want the guy fresh and effective, not the body going through the motions.
Bridges never defended worse than this season. They might want to give him a rest here and there to keep his legs fresh and his mind clear.
Bridges body has never “gone through the motions”.
Bridges was never a lockdown, and is 4 years removed from his fluke All-Defense team (based more on PHX win total than his actual performance).
It should be fairly obvious the streak is important to him, LOL @”mind clear”. Athletes are human beings with wants and needs. Everyone is built different.
Chris Paul started 82 games at Age 39, played 28 MPG, and you think giving the night off to a productive Age 29 iron man athlete in his prime is going to give him “fresh legs”. Bridges entire career is based on giving himself fresh legs via playstyle, routine, and maintenance.
If he wants to keep his streak, then OK. It doesn’t sound productive, but if he wants to, why not.
But the minutes he’s playing are very heavy.
And there was nothing fluky about how he played in Phoenix.
All players should play 82 games. He just shouldn’t play 40 minutes a game. He needs to be around 35. To be fresh. They all have the bench. Honestly I love to see them get Ben Simmons. He can play D rebound and play make. We don’t need another score. This was a great contact for Bridges. I do think they will need to move kat in 3 years though.