Everyone Calling Mikal Bridges Extension a Mistake Is Ignoring the Bigger Picture
For those panicking over the New York Knicks handing Mikal Bridges a four-year, $150 million extension—relax.
Yes, the number looks massive at first glance. But when you break it down, the Knicks essentially paid Bridges as if he’s roughly the 50th-best player in the league.
Once the deal starts in the 2026-27 season—when Bridges will be 30 years old—he’ll earn about $33.48 million per year. According to Spotrac, that salary currently ranks 51st in the NBA, sitting between Jordan Poole ($34.04 million) and Julius Randle ($33.33 million).
And that ranking will only drop. By the time 2026 free agency rolls around, stars like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and De’Aaron Fox will be signing new, more lucrative deals. Once those contracts hit, Bridges will likely be closer to the 55th-highest salary in the league—and that number will keep falling as more players ink bigger extensions.
Paying Bridges Like a Top-50 Player Makes Sense
No matter how you feel about his transition from Phoenix to New York, giving Bridges a top-50 salary is far from an overpay.
Even during a rocky season, he proved himself as a versatile, plug-and-play wing. Bridges averaged 17+ points and 3 assists per game while shooting 59% on twos and 35% from three. Among NBA players, only Nikola Jokic, Evan Mobley, and Domantas Sabonis matched those numbers—yet Bridges was the only wing in that group.
Defensively, Bridges took on some of the toughest assignments in the league, finishing in the 97th percentile for matchup difficulty—the highest mark on the Knicks, with OG Anunoby being the only one even close.
Add in the fact that he logged more total minutes (regular season + playoffs) than any other player in the league, and it’s clear his workload and impact go far beyond the box score.
It’s Not a Bad Contract—It’s Smart Business
Was the trade package to get Bridges steep? Absolutely. But that’s a separate debate. What matters now is whether Bridges’ contract is fair—and it is.
He’s already a top-50 NBA player, and under new head coach Mike Brown, there’s still room for him to grow. By the time his deal hits, his salary will look even more reasonable compared to rising league-wide contracts.
Bottom line: Paying Mikal Bridges like a top-50 player isn’t just fine—it could end up being a bargain.
