New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges has agreed to a four year, $150 million contract extension with the franchise. The deal includes a player option for the 2029–30 season and Bridges will be ineligible to be traded for six months after signing the extension.
Bridges, like his teammate Jalen Brunson, chose to take less than the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. His contract comes in $6 million short of the $156 million maximum extension he was eligible for. His reasoning was the same as Brunson’s decision — a desire to prioritize long term success for the Knicks. By taking a slight discount, Bridges is helping New York maintain financial flexibility and avoid crossing the second tax apron, a threshold the organization has successfully stayed under for the past two seasons.
The move comes as the Knicks look to build on a breakthrough season. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, New York enters this season among the top contenders in the East. The franchise now has six core players — Bridges, Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Miles “Deuce” McBride — under contract for at least the next two seasons. Mitchell Robinson remains the lone major rotation piece on an expiring deal.
This extension also follows a major shift on the sidelines. The Knicks hired Mike Brown as their new head coach, replacing Tom Thibodeau. Brown inherits a roster that has not only tasted postseason success but is built to contend for years to come.
Bridges joined the Knicks last summer in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, New York sent five first round picks, a first round pick swap, a second round pick, and Bojan Bogdanović to acquire the two way wing, reuniting him with former Villanova teammates Anunoby, Hart, and Brunson.
His first season in New York came with growing pains. Thibodeau tasked him with guarding the point of attack, an unfamiliar role for the 29 year old, leading to early season struggles. However, Bridges eventually settled in and made a noticeable impact on the defensive end during the playoffs. His clutch defensive plays were instrumental in helping the Knicks defeat both the Pistons and the Celtics in the first two rounds.
Offensively, Bridges had an up and down year. He averaged 17.6 points per game during the regular season and 15.6 in the playoffs. His three point shooting dipped to 35.4%, his lowest mark since his rookie season, but he remained one of the league’s most efficient mid range scorers. In the postseason, Bridges delivered in high leverage moments, including back to back fourth quarter surges against the Celtics and critical defensive stops in the final possessions of Games 1 and 2, both comeback wins.
Ultimately, Bridges and the Knicks found common ground on a deal that balances player value with organizational flexibility. Now, both sides will continue their partnership in pursuit of the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973.
