Mikal Bridges wants to win — and that’s why he left money on the table.
The Knicks’ prized two-way wing could have waited until the summer of 2026 to test unrestricted free agency, where he likely would have commanded a significantly larger deal amid a rising cap space environment. Instead, Bridges doubled down on his commitment to the Knicks, signing a four-year, $150 million contract extension in August — a $6 million discount from the maximum $156 million he was eligible to receive.
On Media Day Tuesday, Bridges explained his decision to take less than the max.
“I think if I came in here and preached how much I want to win and tried to take every dollar and make it difficult for the organization, I’d seem like a fraud and that’s not who I am,” he said. “I want to win bad, and whatever it takes.”
Six million dollars might sound like a rounding error in today’s NBA economy. But for a Knicks team operating near the league’s $190 million second apron, every penny matters. Bridges’ decision gives the front office a bit more flexibility to manage a tight cap sheet — one that, as of now, only has space for a single minimum-salary player. Adding another rotation-caliber veteran would require shedding salary in a trade.
Bridges said the choice was simple.
“I love all our guys here, so why wouldn’t I want the next man up who needs some money, why wouldn’t I give them an opportunity to get paid as well?” he said. “So I think I’ve got a good amount of money. I don’t think a couple more Ms will change my life.”
Bridges follows the precedent set by Jalen Brunson, who left $113 million on the table by signing his own four-year, $156 million extension last summer.
“Knowing Jalen and being around him, that’s the same thing — his mindset is wanting to win bad,” said Bridges. “Do whatever it takes to win, and he cares about his teammates, too, and is gonna make sure everybody eats in this situation.”
Bridges could have waited to extend, bet on his value rising, and tested the open market. Instead, he committed early — and emphatically — to New York.
“[I re-signed here] because I love it here. Love the fans, love the culture, love the staff and everybody, front office, everything, teammates. That’s probably the biggest thing,” he said. “I know throughout last year, last year was tough throughout the season and the playoffs helped a little bit, but I think I just appreciate the fans and everybody. I think a lot of people thought I might be upset because everybody was getting on me too hard, but I think I was more mad at myself because everything they want was what I want.
“So it’s not like a ‘Why y’all gettin on me?’ Some things get a little too crazy, but that’s just life how it is.”
Bridges averaged 17.6 points per game on 50% shooting from the field while appearing in all 82 games last season. He led the league in minutes and became a defensive cornerstone for a team that reached its first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.
New Knicks head coach Mike Brown has already taken notice.
“Mikal is one of those guys who has been in there every day. Sometimes, he comes in twice a day. Again, to have a guy like Mikal on your roster is unbelievable. Not because he’s a great basketball player and is versatile and brings versatility on both ends of the floor [but because he’s a] fantastic, fantastic human being,” said Brown. “You can tell his momma raised him right. I am looking forward to seeing him get out on the floor and doing what he does best offensively and doing what he does best defensively. But Leon, again, his group being able to lock him up for the number of years they did, it just gives you a comfort level as a head coach knowing he’s going to be around for a while.”
NEW FACES, SAME MISSION
While excitement builds under Brown, the franchise’s first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000 wasn’t enough to save Tom Thibodeau’s job.
Players were still adjusting to the shift.
“I think obviously it’s sad to see a man I’ve known for a long time part ways with this organization, but he’s meant a lot to me,” said team captain Brunson. “I’ve expressed that to him, publicly and personally. Yeah, he’s meant a lot to my career up to this point.”
“Obviously, I love Thibs. I’m always gonna have love for Thibs for the things that he helped me with and putting me in a position to get paid. So I always got love for him. Hope he’s doing well right now,” added Josh Hart. “But obviously, we have Mike, and we’re extremely excited about what he brings to the table offensively and defensively. Obviously, there’s gonna be a little bit of a feeling out process, but we’re excited. We’re excited for what this team has, what this team can be.”
How exactly the Knicks will look under Brown remains a work in progress.
“I don’t know truthfully yet,” said Karl-Anthony Towns. “But I know just for us, we just going to go out there, I can’t speak on that yet because I truly don’t know, but what I can say is that I know our team is unified and our team has the continuity needed to achieve great things and we showed that last year and we’re going to build off of that from last year to this year and put our best foot forward this year.”
NO SURGERY FOR KAT
Towns refuted reports he underwent any procedures this offseason.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Don’t put those words out there,” said Towns, who limped off the floor with a knee injury in Game 6 against the Pacers. “I did not have finger surgery or knee surgery. No, I did not have a knee procedure. … Who [posted] that? [NBA] Centel?”
