The New York Knicks have secured Mikal Bridges for the next two seasons following his trade from the Brooklyn Nets. According to Marc Stein, Bridges plans to postpone discussions about a contract extension until next offseason.
Stein wrote in his Substack newsletter, “League sources indicate that Mikal Bridges of the Knicks is holding off on finalizing a contract extension with his new team until after the season.”
Delaying the talks will give Bridges the opportunity to sign a bigger contract next summer and give himself more time to get used to his new role with the Knicks. “By waiting until after the season, Bridges could be in line for an attractive four-year contract worth approximately $157 million,” Stein said in further detail regarding the possible extension.
This would translate to a yearly salary just shy of $40 million. Bridges currently has one of the best value contracts in the NBA, earning slightly less than $23 million a year. This is a major reason why the Knicks traded five unprotected first-round picks for him. Bridges should fit in well with the Knicks, especially considering his friendship with Jalen Brunson from their time together at Villanova. But the upcoming campaign will be critical to determining his worth, which will influence subsequent contract talks.
The Knicks are positioning themselves as serious contenders for the NBA Championship following the additions of Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. With star player Jalen Brunson locked into a favorable long-term deal and Towns and OG Anunoby also signed for several years, Bridges is likely to be part of this core.
The combination of Brunson, Bridges, Towns, and Anunoby should enhance the team’s shooting ability, improving floor spacing and creating scoring opportunities. The team’s performance this season will be closely watched, particularly regarding their potential playoff run against top rivals like the Boston Celtics.