Though Mikal Bridges is already eligible to signal a two-year contract extension value round $61 million for the reason that begin of October, it doesn’t appear as if the Knicks will take this feature, not less than not any time quickly. Apparently, the Manhattan group will attempt to wait it out till subsequent yr, because the ahead is likely to be of use in a commerce.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks was one of many first to report on it, assuring that an extension just isn’t on the membership’s thoughts proper now. “The indication I’ve gotten simply from speaking to folks is that there’s not going to be an extension,” the insider shared throughout an look on the latest present of the Hoop Collective podcast on Sunday.
“That he’ll wait till subsequent yr. As a result of he’s restricted so far as the six-month rule, so far as what he can lengthen for. Subsequent yr, he can lengthen for 4 years. So it simply provides him extra flexibility. That might definitely change by Oct. 21. Possibly this commerce does change that considering,” he added.
This is how the Knicks’ maneuvering in Mikal Bridges commerce allowed them to commerce for KAThttps://t.co/jVDXbMcXSL
— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNationCP) October 2, 2024
The athlete’s state of affairs is ready below a specific set of laws, and on this case applies for the six-month rule for those who’re traded. Within the case for many who are six months right into a commerce, extension-eligible gamers can solely signal contracts that can lead them right into a four-year deal. As Mikal is below contract for 2 extra years, he can solely lengthen for 2 extra.
With this new situation on the desk, the Knicks had been in a position to commerce out Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle as soon as the Charlotte Hornets grew to become the third workforce concerned within the negotiations. Whereas each of their stars (plus a 2025 top-13-protected first-round decide from Detroit) had been despatched to Minnesota, the Wolves traded again Karl-Anthony Cities.
After information of this blockbuster negotiations first surfaced the net this weekend, we are able to’t assist however marvel which workforce gained probably the most out of it. Whereas it’s clear that New York can be incomes the higher participant, they’re nonetheless dropping two stars from their beginning lineup. Former Memphis government John Hollinger has his doubts.
“I’m apprehensive this makes their roster too top-heavy and hollows out the wing depth,” he shared to the press this previous weekend. “New York’s remaining group now leans a bit too closely into the Thibodeauian fantasy of utilizing solely six gamers the whole evening for all 82 video games and hoping they don’t collapse in a heap within the playoffs.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver lately praised the Knicks’ ‘improbable’ state with star Jalen Brunson main the pack
One thing is occurring in New York’s basketball and everybody round can really feel the huge shift. The workforce’s performances in previous years by some means look like a rebirth if in comparison with the remainder of this millennium, and this has caught the attention of NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who lately cited the group for example of good administration.
In response to the league government, they’re breaking the mould that used to carry the market. “We hear much less about this big-small market dynamic than we used to, significantly with this new system we’ve put in place the place it’s not only a query of who’s keen to pay the best luxurious tax as a result of there are aggressive penalties even in the event you’re keen to enter the tax,” he mentioned final Wednesday.
“And so we’re seeing in a constructive means the results of robust administration. And you’ll point out Oklahoma Metropolis, they managed to remain aggressive,” Silver insisted. “They’ve their ebbs and flows however an amazingly managed workforce. And now you’re seeing that with the Knicks as effectively.”
Not too way back, it could be virtually unthinkable to check the Knicks to the Thunder, who’s one other franchise that has been breaking the obstacles between large and small markets. For nearly twenty years, the Manhattan membership grew to become one of many worst groups within the league, whereas paying the best luxurious taxes. “Compliments to the Knicks and Jalen for creating an surroundings that he wished to be in,” he concluded.
