New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges is guaranteed to be back in the Big Apple next season as the Knicks are going all in to chase their first NBA Championship since 1973. Recent news, however, surrounding Bridges could have Knicks fans concerned heading into next season.
Bridges has been with the Knicks for one season after he was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets. In his one season with the Knicks, Bridges averaged 17.6 points per game, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds.
Bridges is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Knicks this offseason. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report on Sunday predicted that Bridges won’t sign an extension this offseason despite being eligible to do so.
“Mikal Bridges has the option to extend his contract this summer for up to four years and $156 million, but the riches that could await a year from now will be too tantalizing to resist,” Hughes wrote. “In 2026, Bridges could earn $296 million on a new max deal. Loyalty and sacrifice are great, but the NBA is still a business even if you’ve got Wildcat ties. Bridges is going to treat it like one.”
It’ll ultimately be up to the Bridges on whether or not he wants to leave New York next season. It’s hard to imagine that he would want to go anywhere else, knowing he already has a great connection with two of his former college teammates, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.
With the Eastern Conference expected to be wide open next year in light of the injury news surrounding Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, the Knicks' biggest competition to compete for an Eastern Conference title will be the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Orlando Magic is also a team that isn’t getting the recognition it deserves.