NBA player Mikal Bridges commits to a four-year deal worth $150 million as per recent reports, confirming his extension with the Knicks.
The New York Knicks have secured one of their cornerstone players with the four-year, $150 million contract extension agreed upon with Mikal Bridges. This deal, set to start with a salary of about $33.5 million for the 2026-27 season, locks up Bridges alongside the Knicks' core players who were key in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals recently, ensuring stability and continuity for at least the next two to three seasons.
Bridges, a key contributor to the Knicks' recent success, posted a career-high 20.1 points per game during the 2022-23 season. His role as a key forward in the team's lineup is now solidified, reinforcing the Knicks’ competitive position.
The salary for Bridges is among the highest on the Knicks' payroll, ranking fourth. Despite the high cost, the deal was made with concessions to make it work within the team's salary cap strategy. This compromise benefits both Bridges and the Knicks, allowing the team to keep their championship-contending roster together while managing salary cap challenges, including navigating the NBA's second apron luxury tax thresholds for the coming years.
The extension includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and a trade kicker. Bridges, who was selected 10th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, started all 82 regular season games and 18 postseason games for the Knicks last season. He averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in a career-high 37 minutes per game.
The Knicks made a significant move to acquire Bridges last offseason in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Bridges' length and versatility were key factors in the Suns' run to the 2021 NBA Finals. He established himself as one of the NBA's premier two-way wings over nearly five seasons with the Phoenix Suns and almost two seasons with the Nets.
In addition to Bridges, the Knicks also signed guards Jordan Clarkson and forward Guerschon Yabusele this offseason. However, the team gave up a huge haul of picks -- five first-rounders, a first-round pick swap, and a second -- to acquire Bridges.
Tom Thibodeau was fired as the coach of the Knicks after last season, and Mike Brown has replaced him. Despite reaching the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Knicks ultimately fell in six games to the Indiana Pacers.
The Knicks are eager to build on their recent success, and the extension of Bridges' contract is a significant step towards maintaining a competitive roster in the Eastern Conference. Bridges' career long-range shooting percentage of 37.1% and his defensive prowess, as demonstrated by his spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2022, will undoubtedly continue to be valuable assets for the team.
[1] ESPN. (2023). Mikal Bridges agrees to $150M extension with Knicks. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/37367538/mikal-bridges-agrees-150m-extension-new-york-knicks
[2] NBA.com. (2023). Mikal Bridges Player Profile. [online] Available at: https://www.nba.com/players/mikal-bridges/203974
[3] Basketball Reference. (2023). Mikal Bridges Statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bridgemi01.html
[4] Sports Illustrated. (2023). Mikal Bridges Extension: What it Means for the Knicks. [online] Available at: https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/mikal-bridges-extension-what-it-means-for-the-knicks
[5] Bleacher Report. (2023). Knicks' Mikal Bridges Agrees to Four-Year, $150 Million Extension. [online] Available at: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10118329-knicks-mikal-bridges-agrees-to-four-year-150-million-extension
- The New York Knicks' recent success in sports, particularly basketball, has a key player behind it: Mikal Bridges, who signed a four-year, $150 million extension.
- As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, Bridges, a versatile two-way wing, will be earning approximately $33.5 million, having solidified his role as a key forward in the Knicks' lineup.
- Bridges' new deal, despite being among the highest on the Knicks' payroll, was made with concessions to adhere to the team's salary cap strategy, benefiting both parties.
- As part of the extension, Bridges has a player option for the 2029-30 season and a trade kicker, allowing for potential flexibility in the future of his NBA career.
