Knicks not extending Mikal Bridges until $175 million star has situation 'settled'

Jon Conahan

Knicks not extending Mikal Bridges until $175 million star has situation 'settled' image

Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks has a pending contract situation that the team needs to resolve over the next year. 

However, that won't be figured out anytime soon. 

According to a recent report from Ian Begley, the Knicks are still hoping that Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks becomes available.

Antetokounmpo, whom the Knicks have dreamed of having over the past decade, would go for a lot more than just Bridges. Even if the Knicks added Karl-Anthony Towns or another player, there's no reason for Milwaukee to consider a trade. 

They need the biggest haul the NBA has ever seen for him, and the Knicks don't have the picks for that to be considered from Milwaukee's perspective.

“Until the Giannis stuff is fully settled — and I don’t think it’s fully settled yet — teams continue to plan with that in the back of their minds,” Begley said on “The Putback.” “When [Bridges] does extend, I think that would tell you Giannis is put to bed.”

While Begley isn't speculating here, but rather going off what the Knicks are feeling, it's best to put these rumors to rest. 

The Bucks have no reason to trade Antetokounmpo and genuinely believe they have an opportunity to win an NBA championship in the below-average Eastern Conference. 

MORE: Knicks linked to deal involving Lakers' Austin Reaves for Anunoby or Bridges

With Antetokounmpo on their side, it's a possibility.

The idea of adding him would undoubtedly be a great one for the Knicks, and something that every fan would probably want; however, the reality of the situation is that he hasn't expressed interest, and this remains just a pipe dream.

Jon Conahan

Jon Conahan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2022 Penn State University graduate who majored in journalism, he was also a member of the school's D1 baseball team. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Heavy and other outlets. Jon makes home in North Jersey, but also resides in Cape Coral, Florida, for parts of the year. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and Milwaukee Bucks.