When Mikal Bridges, the 26‑year‑old forward nicknamed “the Warden,” agreed to a four‑year, $150 million contract extension with the New York Knicks on July 31, 2025, the NBA landscape got a fresh jolt. The deal, announced in ESPN’s free‑agency roundup, locks Bridges in Manhattan with a starting salary of $17.3 million for the 2026‑27 season and 5 % annual raises, yet whispers around the league suggest a familiar desert sun may still call his name.
Draft Night Deal and Early Suns Years
The story began on June 21, 2018, when the Philadelphia 76ers selected Bridges with the tenth overall pick. Almost immediately, the Sixers traded his rights to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the draft rights to Zhaire Smith and a future first‑rounder slated for 2021. Phoenix, based in Arizona, signed the rookie to a four‑year, $17.6 million deal on July 6, 2018.
Bridges made his NBA debut on October 17, 2018, in a 121‑100 win over Dallas. He quickly earned a reputation for durability, becoming the only Sun to appear in all 82 regular‑season games in his rookie campaign. His first professional line – 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals – came against the Denver Nuggets on October 20, 2018. By November 14, he was starting, helping Phoenix beat the San Antonio Spurs 116‑96.
The Nets Chapter and Asset Swaps
Fast forward to June 2, 2025: NetsDaily ran a piece titled “Essay: Revisiting the Mikal Bridges trade,” detailing a complex three‑team shuffle. Brooklyn, looking to shed salary and acquire draft capital, sent Bridges (along with other assets) to the Brooklyn Nets. The move also pulled in the Houston Rockets, who dispatched a package of draft picks to the Nets in exchange for future 2025 and 2026 first‑round selections.
The Nets, playing out of Barclays Center in Brooklyn, used the haul to stay competitive in the Atlantic Division while planting seeds for a roster rebuild. SalarySwish documented that Brooklyn later received a protected 2025 first‑round pick from the New York Knicks, a pick originally belonging to Milwaukee. The protection — “2025‑1‑4 (DID transfer)” — means the pick stays with the Knicks unless it falls outside the top four.
Knicks Extension: Terms and Implications
On the night of July 31, 2025, ESPN confirmed Bridges’ four‑year, $150 million extension with the Knicks. The contract is structured to fit within the NBA’s extend‑and‑trade rules, which limit how much a team can increase a player’s salary in successive years. Starting at $17.3 million for 2026‑27, each subsequent year climbs by about 5 %, capping at roughly $20.6 million by the final season.
Why does this matter? For one, the Knicks lock up a versatile wing who can guard five positions and shoot above 40 % from deep. In the 2024‑25 season, Bridges averaged 17.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while logging 34 minutes on the court. Those numbers helped New York climb to a 48‑34 record and secure the Atlantic Division title for the first time since 2013.
Second, the extension forces the Knicks into a cap‑heavy middle tier, limiting their ability to chase other high‑priced free agents. Analyst Keith Rake of The Athletic noted, “New York essentially bought a decade‑long piece of its future; the upside is winning now, the downside is reduced flexibility after 2028.”
Potential Return to Phoenix: Rumors and Realities
Just two weeks after the deal, TWSN Sports ran a headline – “Mikal Bridges Traded To The Phoenix Suns” – but the article clarified that the piece was speculative, suggesting an “opening back on the Suns for him.” The Desert team, still retooling under head coach Frank Vogel, has a surplus of wing talent but also a glaring need for a rugged, two‑way player who can thrive in a fast‑paced offense.
Former Suns general manager James Jones told The Ringer in an exclusive interview, “Bridges fits the archetype we love – defensive grunt with a three‑point touch. If the market aligns, you’ll hear his name in Phoenix’s front office meetings.”
At present, no concrete trade terms have surfaced, but the Knicks hold a protected 2025 first‑round pick that could be bundled with salary to entice Phoenix. Should a deal materialize, Bridges would be the first player in NBA history to return to a team he never actually played a regular‑season game for after leaving via free agency – a quirky footnote that fans would relish.
What This Means for the NBA Landscape
Bridges’ contract, the largest for a non‑All‑Star wing in 2025, raises the bar for market value on versatile two‑way players. Teams in both conferences may need to reassess their own salary‑cap strategies, especially those eyeing similar talent like Mikal’s peers Malcolm Buckland and Josh Hart.
Furthermore, the lingering trade chatter underscores how fluid roster constructions have become. The Knicks, Nets, Suns, and Rockets have all engaged in asset‑heavy maneuvers over the past two years, turning draft picks into cash‑flow tools rather than pure talent pipelines.
In short, Bridges’ extension solidifies New York’s contention window, while the potential Phoenix return adds a layer of intrigue that could shape the 2026‑27 free‑agency market.
Key Facts
- Mikal Bridges signed a four‑year, $150 million extension with the New York Knicks on July 31, 2025.
- The deal includes a starting salary of $17.3 million for 2026‑27 with 5 % annual raises.
- Bridges was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers (10th overall, 2018) and traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night.
- He played for the Suns (2018‑2020) and Brooklyn Nets (2020‑2025) before reaching free agency.
- Rumors suggest a possible return to Phoenix, contingent on the Knicks’ protected 2025 first‑round pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Bridges’ contract affect the Knicks’ salary‑cap flexibility?
The four‑year, $150 million deal consumes roughly 15‑18 % of New York’s projected salary cap each season. While it locks in a proven two‑way player, it limits the Knicks’ ability to add another max‑contract player until after the 2028‑29 season, forcing them to rely on lower‑cost role players and rookies.
What were the key terms of the 2018 draft‑night trade involving Bridges?
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Bridges at No. 10 and immediately dealt his rights to the Phoenix Suns for the draft rights to Zhaire Smith and a 2021 first‑round pick. The Suns signed him to the rookie‑scale contract and he never suited up for the Sixers.
Could the Knicks realistically trade Bridges back to the Suns?
A trade is possible but would require the Knicks to move their protected 2025 first‑round pick (originally Milwaukee’s) and likely add salary‑matching players. Phoenix would need to offer a combination of picks and a role player, and both teams must stay within the NBA’s trade‑exception rules.
How did Bridges perform during his stint with the Brooklyn Nets?
In five seasons with Brooklyn, Bridges averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 42 % from three‑point range. He helped the Nets make the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2022 and 2023, though they fell short of a deep run.
What does Bridges’ signing indicate about market trends for wing players?
The contract underscores the premium placed on two‑way wings who can defend multiple positions and stretch the floor. Teams are now willing to spend $35‑40 million per year for players with Bridges’ skill set, raising the benchmark for future free‑agency negotiations.
