The New York Knicks and forward Mikal Bridges have agreed to a four-year contract extension valued at $150 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The new deal includes a player option for the 2029–30 season and features a trade kicker, which would increase Bridges’ earnings if he is traded during the contract’s life.
In a follow-up report, Charania notes that Bridges turned down the opportunity to sign a full maximum extension worth $156 million.
By agreeing to a slightly lower figure, the 28-year-old wing provides the Knicks with additional financial flexibility – an increasingly important factor as teams navigate the restrictions of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement and the implications of the salary cap’s “second apron.”
This move echoes a similar decision made by point guard Jalen Brunson, who last year signed an extension below the max to give the front office more room to improve the roster.
Bridges was initially scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, where he likely could have commanded a five-year deal with a higher total value.
As reported by Ian Begley of SNY, he had the leverage to wait and maximize his earnings on the open market.
However, his decision to lock in now suggests a strong commitment to the Knicks’ long-term vision and the current core of the team.
By taking a modest pay cut, Bridges is not only securing his future but also demonstrating a willingness to prioritize team success and sustained competitiveness.
This strategic move allows the Knicks to retain one of the league’s premier two-way forwards while maintaining flexibility to add complementary talent around him, Brunson, and the rest of the roster.
It also signals growing confidence within the organization that their current trajectory – highlighted by last season’s playoff success – can be built upon in the years to come.
Mikal Bridges, Knicks Agree To Four-Year Extension https://t.co/0kEOdaEyaz pic.twitter.com/2odA9FPux1
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 31, 2025
