Knicks Expect Another Young Star Will Agree To Below-Market Extension

The New York Knicks have been enjoying a transaction-heavy summer as they look to improve on a 50-win season and a second straight run to the semifinal round of the Eastern Conference playoffs this past spring.

The biggest headline, of course, was New York’s decision to trade for former Brooklyn Nets small forward Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, and a 2026 Brooklyn second-round draft pick for six future draft picks (unprotected first rounders in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031, a protected first via the Milwaukee Bucks for 2025, and a 2025 New York second-round pick), a 2028 first-round pick swap, New York power forwards Bojan Bogdanovic and Mamadi Diakite, and guard Shake Milton.

Read More: Knicks Acquire Star From Nets for Massive Haul of Draft Picks

New York also made a point to ink a pair of contract extensions with All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson — for a team-friendly, below-market deal for four years and $156.5 million — and 3-and-D, oft-injured forward OG Anunoby on a generous five-season, $212.5 million agreement.

It appears that Bridges is potentially amenable to following in the footsteps of his Villanova-turned-Knicks teammate Brunson.

According to Marc Stein in a fresh Substack piece, Bridges is open to signing an extension with New York that could help the club build out its roster depth in the future. The 6-foot-6 All-Defensive Teamer is currently halfway through a fairly reasonable four-year, $90.9 million deal he initially inked with the Phoenix Suns, now two teams ago.

Read More: Knicks News: New York Builds Out Mikal Bridges Deal with Additional Sign-And-Trade

The soonest Bridges could sign an extension would be Oct. 1, when he’ll become eligible for a two-year extension worth a projected $72.5 million. Midway through the 2024-25 season, Bridges will become eligible for three- and four-season extensions.

Just entering his prime at age 27, Bridges was a member of a championship-winning Villanova Wildcats club from 2015-18, where he was joined by now-Knicks colleagues Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo.

Read More: Knicks, OG Anunoby Agree to Massive Extension Following Mikal Bridges Trade

This new-look Knicks squad will present a tough, switchable lineup for head coach Tom Thibodeau to hopefully not run into the ground. Injury issues plagued New York during its seven-game second round series with the Indiana Pacers. This year’s versatility on the wing will at least equip it to do significant battle against the similarly switchy Celtics.

How New York chooses to handle some of the jumbo-sized centers in the East — specifically Boston’s 7-foot-3 big man Kristaps Porzingis, Philadelphia 76ers MVP candidate Joel Embiid, and Milwaukee Bucks All-Defensive five Brook Lopez — remains to be seen. The departure of Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency will leave the Knicks to rely on oft-hurt center Mitchell Robinson, whose health is a perennial question mark.

Keeping Bridges on a reasonable deal would be a massive coup for New York’s front office, and perhaps could allow the club to continue building out its personnel in the future. This year, however, it may need some center insurance.