A tough decision still awaits the Knicks this summer.
The New York Knicks are gearing up for another deep playoff push after falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, though they still face a tough decision this offseason.
Mikal Bridges is eligible for a four-year, $156.2 million extension this summer, though the two sides have yet to reach an agreement. While the 28-year-old could be waiting until Aug. 6, which would make him ineligible to be traded this season, the lack of an agreement hasn't gone unnoticed.
New York gave up a massive haul of draft capital — five first-round picks and a pick swap — to acquire Bridges last summer, and letting him walk for nothing would be disastrous. The Knicks may be waiting for a bigger trade opportunity, but NBA writer Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes failing to secure an extension with the swingman could be a costly mistake.
"Bringing Bridges into the season without an extension and letting him hit unrestricted free agency poses all sorts of possible trouble,” Favale wrote. “He could get way more expensive — his four-year max would run $222.4 million — or leave for nothing.”
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While saving Bridges for a midseason trade is a potential option, the Knicks risk receiving a minimal return compared to what they gave up.
Letting him enter free agency could be just as dangerous, as the team would likely have to offer a far more lucrative contract to keep him.
Bridges had an efficient season with the Knicks in 2024-25, playing in all 82 regular-season games and averaging 17.6 points, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 steals while shooting 50.0 percent from the field across 37.0 minutes per game.
If the Knicks can't reach an extension this summer, it wouldn't be surprising to see a trade materialize eventually.
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