What Mikal Bridges' extension means for Knicks, Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes

Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes heating up as Mikal Bridges signs a new extension with the New York Knicks.

There are strategic implications in place as a result of the New York Knicks extending wing Mikal Bridges to a four-year, $150 million contract extension on August 1, taking less than the maximum to allow the Knicks to remain under the second apron.

Bridges, who joined the Knicks in a rare trade with the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2024, averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field in his first season with the franchise.

As the Knicks signed Bridges on August 1, the franchise is mindful of the six-month trade restriction, making Mikal a possible trade piece on February 1, approximately four days before the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline. The Knicks have been quietly monitoring the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation in Milwaukee, and considering the Bucks waived Damian Lillard, who is owed $113 million over the next five seasons, and lost Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency, it isn't clear what the plan is moving forward.

The Damian Lillard departure allowed Milwaukee to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal, who will serve as a younger, more skilled big man with a ton of upside coming off a trip to the NBA Finals.

Antetokounmpo has been very vocal about his desire to win another championship, and has been monitoring the Bucks' moves to determine whether or not he wants to stay, or finally close his chapter with Milwaukee, which has accumulated into two MVP awards and a 2021 title.

Giannis signed a 3-year, $186 million dollar extension with the Bucks in 2023, as he will earn $57,604,893 this upcoming season, and just over $62 million in 2026-27 before his player option in 2027-28. It is hard to imagine Giannis Antetokounmpo makes it to the end of his most recent contract with the Bucks, and if the New York Knicks want to make a play for the nine-time All-Star, Karl-Anthony Towns would most likely be a part of the package, as the Knicks big man currently is set to make over $53 million this season.

If Mikal Bridges' name is brought up in Giannis discussions in February, the Knicks will be one of the teams ready to pounce, as the franchise has a ton of flexibility and could be a good fit as a wing defender with Khris Middleton leaving.

Either way, Towns would make the money work, and Mikal Bridges took a pay cut to keep options open for the Knicks moving forward, similar to what Jalen Brunson did last offseason, taking a $100 million dollar pay cut which allowed the Knicks to bring in Bridges. The Knicks will likely use the final roster spot towards a veteran, potentially using their veteran minimum contract, created when Guerschon Yabusele signed for slightly less than the full taxpayer mid-level exception.

Names to look at for the Knicks include Ben Simmons, with the most likely scenario leaning towards a reunion with Landry Shamet.