Mikal Bridges‘ new four-year contract extension with the Knicks will start at $33,482,145 in 2026/27, Hoops Rumors has learned. Bridges’ maximum first-year salary on a veteran extension would have been $34,860,000, so his actual deal will come in about $1.38MM below that.
Bridges will earn $36,160,714 in 2027/28 and $38,839,285 in ’28/29, with a ’29/30 player option worth $41,517,856, for a total of exactly $150MM.
Interestingly, while most trade kickers are worth either the maximum allowable 15% or a round number like 5% or 10%, the trade kicker on Bridges’ deal comes in at 5.69%.
Here are more details on recently signed contracts from around the NBA:
- Jaden Springer‘s one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Pelicans includes Exhibit 9 language but not an Exhibit 10 clause, Hoops Rumors has learned. Those terms Springer will be competing for a 15-man roster spot in training camp and likely doesn’t plan on joining New Orleans’ G League affiliate if he’s waived before opening night.
- The two-way contracts recently signed by Enrique Freeman with the Timberwolves and Daeqwon Plowden with the Kings are both just for one year, Hoops Rumors has confirmed. Freeman got the maximum allowable $85,000 partial guarantee and will have 50% of his $636,435 salary guaranteed if he remains under contract through opening night, while Plowden received a $75K partial guarantee.
- Max Shulga‘s two-way contract with the Celtics also just covers one season, Hoops Rumors has confirmed. That’s notable, since a handful of second-rounders drafted ahead of him signed two-year two-way deals. The No. 57 overall pick, who got a partial guarantee worth $85,300, will be eligible for restricted free agency in 2026.
Mikal is a nice player, but he looked exposed against the Pacers in the playoffs. I don’t think he is worth such a large piece of the Knicks’ payroll.
I think he’ll be much better this year.
The East can easily be had by the Knicks this year. If they stay healthy, hands down it’s theirs for the taking.
I don’t know about easily, The Cavs and The Magic exist.
Chucktoad1:
The Magic have plenty to prove. They’re not in the conversation to me until they do.
So Bridges has a sense of humor with his trade kicker lol
Cavs — Knicks — Sixers
Thats how I see now. Cavs are team to beat.
Magic, Pistons, even Heat will be better this year.
Celtics, Pacers, Bucks still playoff teams. And a trade away from leveling up. Any vet playoff teams is dangerous in the playoffs.
Bridges has to level up this year. That is a big key for Knicks success. We need at least 22 pts a gm.
KnickerbockerAl:
You really think the Sixers can stay healthy enough to contend in that way? I don’t think Embiid will ever be healthy again for any period of time. I think George looks disinterested and unhealthy as well. To me that’s a team very much on the downward slide.
Al, how about Mitch & a two-way to the Nets for Danny Wolf? Al
Wolf would be right to use next to Towns. He is a IQ player. I think we can get more for Mitch. I like how you are thinking. Imo if they are down with Towns. Mitch will be moved eventually. He is a FA next year. Still early lol
They had a year to get healthy. And there was no new injury. Only Embiids history is a concern. All they had was a stretch of bad luck. And decided to shut it down. They are deep now. So can manage nagging injuries better. Yes they have to stay healthy. But thats all teams. I see a team that is deep. Should be hungry to go. And should be 100% healthy. Point guard is their biggest issue. Watch out for them .
KnickerbockerAl
I agree with everything, but Embiid will never play more than 30 games again, in my opinion. That’s a huge loss.