Knicks keeping their options open with Bridges as Giannis rumors swirl
The New York Knicks could offer Mikal Bridges up to $156.1 million over four years, but they’re hitting pause on that decision for a pretty interesting reason.
They’ve got their eyes on a bigger prize.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks are closely watching what’s happening with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. The timing matters here – if New York extends Bridges now, league rules would prevent them from trading him for six months.
“The Knicks and all the other teams are kind of keeping an eye on Milwaukee and what may or may not happen there,” Begley explained.
Bridges, 28, is heading into the final year of his $90.9 million contract.
“I think one of the reasons why he has not been extended yet is because once you extend him, you cannot trade him for six months,” Begley added. “Until the Giannis stuff is fully settled… When he does extend, I think that tells you Giannis is put to bed, is off the table in a sense.”
Bridges has been incredibly durable throughout his career. He’s never missed a game except during the COVID-shortened seasons.
Last year, he logged a career-high 37 minutes per game and shot 50% from the field for the first time since leaving Phoenix.
Is Giannis actually available?
The Giannis situation remains complicated. Back in May, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo hadn’t “made any firm decisions on his Bucks future” but was “open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere.”
More recently, though, Giannis himself said he’ll “probably” stay with the Bucks and that he “loves Milwaukee.”
Bucks president Peter Feigin seems pretty relaxed about the whole thing.
“We kind of laugh internally, it’s where we’ve been for 10 years,” Feigin said on NBA TV. “Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis. We’re in a good place.”
But ESPN’s Brian Windhorst thinks there’s more to the story. He reported that at least five or six teams are “banking on” Antetokounmpo’s recent “we’ll see” comment about his future in Milwaukee.
“For years Giannis was completely locked in,” Windhorst noted. That slight shift in language has teams paying attention.
Who else wants the Greek Freak?
The Knicks aren’t the only team dreaming about landing the superstar. The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat have all been mentioned as potential destinations.
Giannis, who turns 31 in December, is reportedly “closely observing” Milwaukee’s offseason moves to see if they’re building a championship-worthy roster.
If he does request a trade, it probably won’t happen until later this summer.
While Antetokounmpo is under contract through 2027-28, he could become a free agent in 2027 by declining his massive $62.8 million player option.
The two-time MVP was dominant again last season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists while shooting an incredible 60.1% from the field.
For now, Bridges and the Knicks are in a holding pattern as they wait to see how the Giannis situation plays out.
