Mikal Bridges has solidified his future with the New York Knicks, signing a significant contract extension that ensures his presence as a formidable opponent for the Philadelphia 76ers for years to come.
The Knicks recently reached a substantial four-year, $150 million contract extension with veteran forward Mikal Bridges, as reported by agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management to ESPN, which includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and a trade kicker.
This lucrative deal projects Bridges’ first salary to commence at $33.4 million in the 2026-2027 season, with the subsequent two years expected to be guaranteed, reinforcing his long-term commitment to the New York organization.
Bridges’ journey to becoming a Knicks cornerstone is particularly noteworthy given his Philadelphia roots; initially drafted by the 76ers as the 10th pick out of Villanova, a team he grew up supporting with family ties in the organization, he was subsequently traded.
The Sixers’ decision to flip Bridges for Zhaire Smith in a draft-day trade proved to be a significant misstep in hindsight, as the Phoenix Suns benefited immensely from Bridges’ quality performance over five seasons, highlighting a missed opportunity for Philadelphia.
After his impactful tenure with the Suns, Bridges transitioned to the Brooklyn Nets in 2022-2023, where he truly began to assert himself as a primary scoring option and a direct rival to the Sixers before being acquired by the Knicks last offseason in a blockbuster trade.
His arrival in New York immediately elevated the Knicks’ perceived status from playoff contenders to championship hopefuls, although their Eastern Conference Finals run ultimately fell short, leading to some criticism of Bridges’ initial performance despite the team’s unwavering confidence in his value.
Regardless of past criticisms, the New York Knicks clearly view Mikal Bridges as a vital part of their core, ensuring the former “almost-Sixer” will continue to be a compelling rival for the Philadelphia 76ers in the ongoing NBA landscape.
