NBA insider reveals pivotal factor in Mikal Bridges' $61 million potential extension eligibility with Knicks

New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges could potentially sign a contract extension with the franchise in the next few days. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the two-way forward is eligible to sign a two-year, $61 million contract to stay with the team. However, with the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York, there could be a different approach to Bridges' potential contract extension.

On Oct. 1, Bridges becomes eligible to sign a new contract extension with the Knicks. However, Marks shared that the forward might wait until next year to sign a new deal when his contract will have a longer term.

"I think the window's gonna open in the next couple of days for two [years] for $60 [million]," Marks said. "The indication I've gotten from talking to people is that there's not going to be an extension [now], that he will wait until next year to look out what, 'cause he's limited as far as the six-month rule, as far as what he can extend for.

"Next year, he can extend for four years. It just gives him more flexibility as far as, that could certainly change by October 21st. Maybe [Karl-Anthony Towns' trade] does change that thinking."

Mikal Bridges is still under the contract he signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2021. It's the third year of his four-year, $90 million deal, and he's set to earn $23.3 this season alone.

Marks explained that Bridges could take a discount in his new deal, similar to what Jalen Brunson did over the summer, which gave the Knicks an extra $113 million.

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Mikal Bridges hopes to stay in New York

Since getting traded by the Suns in 2023, the future of Mikal Bridges has been uncertain. Before being traded to the Knicks this summer, he spent a season and a half playing for the Brooklyn Nets. After the team-hopping he's done over the past few seasons, Bridges seems focused on staying with one team.

In an interview with RG.org, Bridges shared that he doesn't want to get traded anytime soon. He also said he's focused on helping the Knicks' title hopes this season.

"It kinda started when I was in Phoenix. I thought I probably never was gonna leave Phoenix," Bridges said. "Being the type of player I am, I feel like I'm kinda in a glue role usually a team would trade for or would trade to give up [a lot].

"But once that starts, once you get traded once, now it's like it's gonna be continuous. But, hopefully, things go great [in New York] and I don't gotta keep moving teams."

Mikal Bridges is reunited with his college buddies, Brunson and Josh Hart. Together, they seek to win an NBA title.