Heat embrace G7 challenge after G6 heartbreak

Mikal Bridges is expected to sign a team-friendly extension with the New York Knicks similar to the one signed last week by Jalen Brunson, sources tell Marc Stein. Bridges can sign a two-year extension in October or a four-year deal if he waits until the 2025 offseason.

The Knicks traded five first round picks and a pick swap to the Brooklyn Nets for Bridges. The outlay was substantial for the Knicks, but their ability to subsequently sign both Brunson and Bridges to favorable extensions changes the calculus as they will be able to build out and retain their roster in a way that wouldn’t have been available to them had both players sought every available dollar in the short-term.

Bridges signed a four-year, $90.9 million extension with the Phoenix Suns in 2021, which immediately became one of the better contracts in the NBA. Bridges can sign a two-year, $72.5 million extension in October, or he can sign a three-year, $112.9 million deal next offseason. Bridges’ current deal has no options, so it cannot begin until the 26-27 season. Conversely, Bridges can wait until 2026 when he becomes a free agent to sign a five-year deal worth nearly $297 million at 30 percent of the cap.