NBA Rumors: Mikal Bridges, Knicks not discussing contract extension until 2025 offseason | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges will be eligible for a two-year extension worth approximately $61 million starting October 1, although it doesn’t appear like he will go that route.

“The indication I’ve gotten from just talking to people is that there won’t be an extension,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks said during an appearance on the network Hope Collective podcast (12:00 p.m.) Sunday. “That he will wait until next year. Because he is limited in terms of the six-month rule, in terms of what he can extend. Next year he can extend for four years. So it just gives him more flexibility. That could certainly change by October 21. Maybe this trade will change that thinking.”

A few points of clarification.

First, the aforementioned six-month rule applies to players who are traded. For six months following a trade, extension-eligible players can only sign deals that allow them to be under contract for a total of four years. Because Bridges is already under contract for another two seasons, he can only extend for two more seasons.

Additionally, players can only receive a 20 percent increase in the first year of the extension, followed by a five percent increase in each corresponding year. So Bridges could sign a deal that would pay him just under $30 million in the 2026-2027 season and just over $31 million the following season.

Previous reporting had suggested that Bridges could make such a deal, with the Knicks getting the same kind of extension cut as Jalen Brunson to ease New York’s salary cap constraints.

And as Marks noted, Bridges could still opt to take a discount in the wake of the Knicks reportedly getting Karl-Anthony Towns in a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets, which also leaves Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo would be sent to Minny. .

Marks said he had talked to people about the possibility of a Bridges expansion before that trade was orchestrated. It’s possible Bridges’ thinking has changed, or will change, after the Knicks revamp the roster again.

Either way, the Knicks will now build around a Big Four of Brunson, Towns, Bridges and Anunoby. No team has had greater success this season than the Knicks as they look to keep pace with the defending champion Boston Celtics.