From five first-round picks to $150 million. 

The Knicks will extend the contract of Mikal Bridges, a source confirmed Thursday, with the durable wing agreeing to four years and $150 million that includes a player option. 

The deal landed about $6 million less than the max, which might help the Knicks moving forward as they navigate the CBA’s apron restrictions. By agreeing to a deal, Bridges is also forgoing free agency next summer, when he could’ve signed for considerably more — nearly $300 million over five years at a max rate. 

The Knicks are signing Mikal Bridges to a $150 million contract extension. NBAE via Getty Images

The average annual salary of $37.5 million for the extension — which starts in the 2026-27 campaign — feels more reasonable for Bridges, who struggled for much of last season before redeeming himself in the playoffs. 

At 28, Bridges remains part of a Knicks’ core five who are all in their primes and signed through at least the next three seasons. His commitment below the max was trumpeted as a discount to maintain the team’s flexibility moving forward, although it’s not quite the same gesture as Jalen Brunson’s a year ago. 

Brunson would’ve assuredly signed a larger max deal by waiting until free agency. Bridges has more to prove, and he was often the fourth scoring option last season. 

Now, he’s locked in and can’t become a free agent until 2029, at the earliest. His extension prevents speculation about Bridges hitting the trade market, at least in the short term, since league rules dictate he can’t be dealt for six months after the deal becomes official. 

For the 2026-27 season, the Knicks’ starting lineup — Bridges, Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart — is set to earn more than $150 million combined. 

Mikal Bridges inked an extension with the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

This is the group moving forward into potential title contention, with newcomer Mike Brown as head coach. 

“We have a team that’s going to be together for a while,” team owner James Dolan said last season on Brunson and Hart’s “Roommates Show” podcast. “Leon [Rose] has done a good job of lining up the contracts. So, this isn’t our only season, so we’re going to play a bunch of seasons together.” 

Bridges was acquired last year from the Nets for five first-round picks, a hefty price that appeared an overpay amid early struggles and a rocky transition to a new role. Moving from the No. 1 offensive option in Brooklyn to No. 4 at MSG proved difficult, and Bridges appeared out of sorts on both ends of the floor. 

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In March, he publicly grumbled about excessive playing time while appealing for Tom Thibodeau to ease up on the starters’ minutes. It became a hot-button issue that was referenced by national media after Thibodeau was fired after their elimination from the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers. 

Still, Bridges had plenty of highlights. He elevated his league-high consecutive games played streak to 556, a marvel in the age of load management. His durability made it easier for the Knicks to commit long term. He led the NBA last season in total minutes as the only player with over 3,000, and in distance traveled, logging more than 231 miles on the court. 

Mikal Bridges on the court during the playoffs. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

Bridges also had stellar regular-season games against the Spurs on Christmas and the Trail Blazers in March. But he really shined in the opening two rounds of the playoffs, when the Knicks outdueled the Pistons and upset the Celtics. 

Bridges capped two of those victories with clutch defensive stops, moments that solidified his importance to the team’s success despite his disappointing conference final against Indiana. 

Nonetheless, the Knicks rewarded Bridges by doubling down on Rose’s big investment a year ago.