Mikal Bridges agree to extension with Knicks

📝 Mikal Bridges Signs 4‑Year, $150M Extension with Knicks

On August 1, 2025, the New York Knicks officially locked in Mikal Bridges on a four‑year, $150 million contract extension, with details confirmed by team sources and major outlets like ESPN and NBA.com.

🔍 Key Terms of the Deal:

• Duration & Value: 4 years, $150 million total.

• Player Option: Bridges has an option for the 2029‑30 season.

• Trade Kicker: If he's traded in the future, Bridges receives a bonus of 10–15%.

• Trade Protection: He’s ineligible to be traded for six months after signing.

• Friendly to Knicks Cap: Bridges took roughly $6 million less than his maximum eligible extension (~$156M) to help the team maintain flexibility and avoid the luxury tax second apron.

🏀 What the Move Means

Why Bridges Took the Discount

Despite eligibility for a max deal (~$156 million), Bridges accepted slightly less. This mirrors what Jalen Brunson did last summer—prioritizing team flexibility and the ability to bring in complementary pieces without breaching salary thresholds.

Value & Role

Since joining the Knicks in the summer of 2024, Bridges averaged 17.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG, playing and starting in all 82 regular-season games. He was a defining presence in their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, especially with high-leverage defensive plays in the postseason.

He remains one of the NBA’s most dependable players—having never missed a game, with an ironman streak extending past 550 consecutive games.

🧠 Why This Matters

• Bridges shows commitment: Foregoing full market value signals trust in the franchise vision and belief in what the Knicks are building.

• Smart long-term planning: The team benefits from cap relief and structure—with player options and trade protections—while retaining a key contributor.

• Potential for further roster moves: With Bridges under contract and space preserved, New York maintains flexibility to upgrade around their established core.

💬 Final Thoughts

Mikal Bridges' extension is more than just dollars and years—it’s a sign of mutual investment. He cements himself as a cornerstone in New York’s championship pursuit, while the Knicks underscore an era of continuity, teamwork, and cap-conscious roster building.

It’s a pivotal moment—not just for Bridges, but for a team seeking to push past its Eastern Conference breakthrough and claim genuine contention.