New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are expected to sign head coach Tom Thibodeau to a contract extension "in the near future," per longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein.

"A contract extension is likewise expected in the near future for coach Tom Thibodeau. Even if the Knicks run out of financial flexibility to re-sign Isaiah Hartenstein, they should have a team to be reckoned with in the easier East for years to come and built it by religiously adhering to a blueprint that is all their own."

Thibodeau has one year left on a five-year deal signed before the 2020-21 season, but all signs have been pointing toward the Knicks re-signing the 66-year-old, who has guided the Knicks to the playoffs three times in four seasons, including the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2023 and 2024.

Thibodeau has the backing of his players, including Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson.

"He deserves it," Hart said regarding a contract extension in May, per Dan Martin of the New York Post. "He's someone that works extremely hard and he prepares us. He makes sure we have the right mindset. But it's not in my hands."

Brunson also spoke with Taylor Rooks of TNT Sports about Thibodeau, defending his coach from the narrative that he works his players too hard and praising how much he prepares the Knicks (begins at 17:33 mark).

At this point, an extension seems like a formality. It's just a question of when Thibodeau lands it and how much he gets.

Michael Scotto reported on June 17 during the HoopsHype Podcast that "the general belief around the NBA is Thibodeau will get an extension this summer and deserves it."

Stefan Bondy of the New York Post then added this remark during the podcast:

"I think he's going to get the extension, and I'm a little surprised it hasn't happened yet," he added. "My understanding is he's just looking for market value. If I were guessing here, I'd say it's a three-year extension at $33 million. I'm throwing that out there as a complete guess."

Stein also reported on June 2 that Thibodeau was a "near certainty" to get a contract extension at a "market rate," or at least $10 million per season.

We'll see what the final numbers will be soon enough, but the Knicks are rolling now after agreeing with the Nets on a trade that will land them star wing Mikal Bridges, joining his ex-Villanova teammates in Brunson, Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. They look primed to be a title contender, and Thibodeau looks to be the coach who will guide them during this championship window.

The New York Knicks were interested in several superstars before trading for Mikal Bridges in a deal with the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Knicks' "dream targets" included Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker, and Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

Stein noted that New York explored "the prospect" of trading for Los Angeles Clippers wing Paul George, and there where even some "whispers" in league circles that the team could pursue Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo "down the road."

Although players such as Booker and Embiid were reportedly at the top of the Knicks' wish list, they didn't appear to be available for a trade. Despite the Suns' disappointing first-round exit in 2024, the All-Star guard didn't request to be moved.

While rumors swirled about his potential desire to join New York, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports reported in April that they were "unequivocally false."

With the 76ers in contact with teams such as the New Orleans Pelicans regarding Brandon Ingram during the offseason, it appears that Philadelphia is focused on adding players alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey rather than moving the 2023 MVP.

As for Antetokounmpo, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on May 6 that there were "no rumbles" pointing toward the 2021 Finals MVP contemplating his future with the organization.

Even though a superstar trade never materialized, the Knicks still made a large splash by acquiring Bridges. The cost wasn't cheap, as New York gave up four unprotected first-round picks as well as a protected first in 2025 (via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski). Brooklyn also received forward Bojan Bogdanović and a 2028 pick swap.

Bridges should fit nicely as an ancillary piece next to Jalen Brunson following a breakout season from the All-Star guard. The former Net will also be reuniting with his former college teammates at Villanova such as Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo jokingly questioned the behind-the-scenes machinations leading up to Mikal Bridges' reported trade from the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that Bridges will be moving across the Big Apple to Madison Square Garden. Adebayo playfully accused Knicks players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of tampering with their former college teammate at Villanova.

@jalenbrunson1 @joshhart y’all was tampering !

— 13am Adebayo (@Bam1of1) June 26, 2024

Perhaps the "Nova Knicks" were totally in the dark as this unfolded. While Bridges had been the subject of trade rumors in the past, Tuesday's deal seemed to come pretty quickly without much warning.

YOOOOO @mikal_bridges FINALLY HIT MY LINE!!!!!

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 26, 2024

Omg

— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) June 26, 2024

By the letter of the law, any one of Brunson, Hart or fellow Wildcats alumnus Donte DiVincenzo would've run afoul of the NBA's anti-tampering rules if they had reached out directly to Bridges before the trade.

But tampering runs rampant around the league during the offseason, and only the most egregious offenders are usually punished.

Plus, it's doubtful either the Nets or Knicks will want to raise any concerns because they will have both come away thrilled with their return from Tuesday's swap.

The New York Knicks fell short in the postseason largely due to injuries. The Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed was poised to make a splash this offseason as it looked to catch the Boston Celtics, and that slash came on Tuesday evening.

On the eve of the 2024 NBA draft, the Knicks agreed to a blockbuster trade to acquire Mikal Bridges from the cross-town rival Brooklyn Nets.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, acquiring the 27-year-old will cost New York four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap, a second-round selection and Bojan Bogdanović.

In a vacuum, Bridges was always the best choice for the Knicks, who had also been linked to Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George. New York was interested in acquiring George if he exercised his player option and demanded a trade, according to NBA insider Marc Stein (h/t Bleacher Report's Jack Murray):

"Another trusted source has advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a potential trade suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman indeed opts into the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million. That step would position George to push for a trade to another team."

The issue with targeting George was that he's roughly seven years older than Bridges and is seeking a new four-year contract, according to Stein (h/t Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker),

Bridges is under contract for two more seasons at a relatively reasonable rate—he's set to earn $23.3 million next season. Assuming the Knicks can extend him, he'll provide a much wider window than an aging George likely would have.

By making a move on Bridges instead of George, New York should retain the financial flexibility needed to re-sign OG Anunoby, who has reportedly declined his 2024-25 player option—and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Keeping both would be ideal, but Anunoby could take priority after the Knicks dealt RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick to get him last season.

According to Wojnarowski, the Knicks are "determined" to keep Anunoby in free agency:

The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024

New York also avoided sending a key contributor like Julius Randle out in the trade, something it might not have managed in a George deal. The proverbial cherry on top of the situation is that the trade will reunite Bridges with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.

The Knicks now have a roster that should both challenge Boston in the East and ooze chemistry from the moment it takes the court together.

Of course, trades aren't made in a vacuum. New York should be a title contender for the foreseeable future, but anything short of lifting the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy at least once will be seen as a massive failure.

That's simply the reality of making a deal of this magnitude. For a little perspective, consider that the Los Angeles Lakers' trade for Anthony Davis cost them three role players—Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Hart—and three first-round draft picks.

Bridges is an ascending talent, a defensive stalwart who averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while starting all 82 games this past season. However, he's not a nine-time All-Star like Davis is.

The Knicks overpaid to get Bridges. Full stop. Even if his production warranted such a haul, however, New York would still be left facing a championship-or-bust situation. President Leon Rose has given up any chance of improving the franchise through the draft or flipping draft capital for additional talent once picks begin going to Brooklyn in 2025.

If adding Bridges doesn't elevate the Knicks to a championship, they're probably not winning one with the current core. And if New York keeps falling short in the playoffs—whether due to injuries or not—it could blow things up and start over long before the trade is completed in 2031.

The New York Knicks appear likely to lose promising young center Isaiah Hartenstein to the open market this summer, but it sounds like the team already has contingency plans in mind.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported, "Should New York lose Hartenstein in free agency to a higher offer elsewhere, several centers are on their radar as potential replacements." Scotto named veteran free-agent centers Jonas Valančiūnas and Andre Drummond among the players the Knicks could target this offseason.

In addition to Valančiūnas and Drummond, Scotto named free agent Goga Bitadze as a player who could interest the Knicks and identified Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards as a potential trade target. Valančiūnas and Drummond would provide more of a veteran presence in New York's locker room if either of them agrees to join the team.

The Knicks made the biggest move of the offseason so far on Tuesday night by agreeing to acquire star wing Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a massive haul of draft picks. The deal reunites Bridges with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo while making New York one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference next season.

However, acquiring Bridges likely means the end of Hartenstein's time in the Big Apple, as the free-agent big man is set to receive a ton of interest on the open market. SNY's Ian Begley reported after news of the Bridges trade broke that Hartenstein will likely "be a top target for several opposing teams in free agency" and the offers he will command make it "increasingly unlikely" that the Knicks will be able to retain him.

Hartenstein appeared in 75 games with 49 starts last season, assuming an expanded role when veteran center Mitchell Robinson suffered a stress fracture in his ankle. In the month of January, Hartenstein proved he can be a reliable starter with an average of 12.1 rebounds. He also showed his toughness down the stretch of the season by playing through a lingering Achilles injury.

Still, it looks like losing Hartenstein would be a manageable subtraction for the Knicks as they try to build a roster that can contend for a championship next season.

Former Villanova head men's basketball coach Jay Wright commented Wednesday on Mikal Bridges reuniting with several of his former Villanova teammates as a member of the New York Knicks.

After ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday night that the Brooklyn Nets agreed to send Bridges to the Knicks for Bojan Bogdanović, four unprotected first-round draft picks, the Milwaukee Bucks' top-four-protected 2025 first-round pick, an unprotected first-round pick swap in 2028 and a 2025 second-round selection, Wright wrote the following on X:

Boys are blessed to be together. No one ever gets this opportunity in the @NBA . A lot of work to do ! ! Let's go !! @nyknicks @NovaMBB ! https://t.co/oSBXzSnyu6

— Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) June 26, 2024

With the Knicks, Bridges will once again get to play alongside Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. Collectively, the quartet led Villanova to a national championship in 2016, and after Hart went to the NBA, Brunson, DiVincenzo and Bridges won another national title in 2018.

While there have been a few occasions when three college teammates have played on the same team in the NBA, it appears the Knicks will be the first NBA team to roster four college teammates at the same time.

Adding to the significance is the fact that Bridges, Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart will all be key contributors for the Knicks who play major minutes.

With Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart playing alongside the likes of Julius Randle and OG Anunoby in 2023-24, the Knicks were the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-32 record.

They reached the second round of the playoffs, but they couldn't get any further due largely to some key players going down with injuries, including Randle and Anunoby.

Bridges, Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart give the Knicks a strong core, plus Randle, Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson are under contract for next season, and Wojnarowski reported that New York is "determined" to re-sign Anunoby in free agency as well.

Wojnarowski added that the Knicks are "loading up on wings" in an attempt to take down the Boston Celtics, who had the best record in the NBA this past season and won a championship.

In Bridges, the Knicks are getting one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. He also has NBA Finals experience, as he went the distance with the Phoenix Suns in 2021.

The 27-year-old veteran enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2023-24 as a member of the Nets, averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.7 three-pointers made and 1.0 steals per game.

Perhaps most importantly, he is one of the most durable players in the league, as he has never missed a game in six NBA seasons.

Injuries were perhaps the biggest thing holding the Knicks back last season, but they can count on Bridges to be on the court every night, plus he already has built-in chemistry with many of the team's top players.

Many pieces have perfectly fallen into place in order for the Knicks to make the Villanova reunion happen, and it will now be up to the players to prove that they can have the same level of success together in the NBA as they did in college.

The New York Knicks paid a massive price to trade for Mikal Bridges, but the Brooklyn Nets reportedly wanted even more at one point.

"There were other teams that were trying to trade for Mikal Bridges in this last couple of weeks because of some statements Joe Tsai made about a rebuild. The Nets, I am told, were asking for as many as six first-round picks for Mikal Bridges," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective (5:48 mark). "Other teams that they talked to asked for six. So I guess if framed that way, the Knicks were able to talk 'em down with just five and a swap."

The Knicks traded Bojan Bogdanović, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick and a pick swap for Bridges on Tuesday.

Bridges is a 27-year-old who has never made an All-Star team. To put the haul into context, the Utah Jazz only got three unprotected first-round picks for Donovan Mitchell (along with Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton). When the Nets traded Kevin Durant, they landed four unprotected firsts along with Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder.

While this was a trade centered almost entirely on picks—Bogdanović is a fine veteran player but was used mostly as a matching salary—it's hard to fathom putting Bridges in the same sentence as Durant and Mitchell.

Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season, solid but disappointing numbers for anyone expecting a true star turn. The Villanova product looked primed for a true breakout after coming to the Nets in February 2023, but he struggled under the weight of being the 1A option over a full season.

Windhorst said teams have been expecting the Nets to rebuild for around a month (15:21 mark), provided at least one team met their eye-popping demands:

"About a month ago, Joe Tsai was at a conference. He was on a dais. He got asked about the Nets. He basically indicated he didn't want to be in the middle anymore, and the league's ears perked up.

"Offer phones started ringing for Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Johnson and others. And their prices were sky high, so sky high that, in fact, I know of at least one team where they were trying to acquire Mikel Bridges because they thought it might help them acquire another free agent.

"It was like, let's do a package deal here. And they were told an outrageous level of assets required for Mikal Bridges. So teams were like, okay, they want to rebuild, but they don't really want to rebuild. They're just kind of pretending that they do."

Bridges will return to a more comfortable role as a 3-and-D player with the Knicks, which should help his efficiency return. The Knicks are expected to be aggressive in attempting to re-sign OG Anunoby to pair with Bridges on the wing, giving them arguably the best 1-2 punch of defenders in the NBA.

Whether that pairing ultimately turns the Knicks into a championship contender remains to be seen. Jalen Brunson helped spearhead the Knicks' run to the second round of the playoffs, but he could use a true second in command—one who is arguably better than the returning Julius Randle.

Unless the long-term plan is to package Randle with Anunoby or Bridges in a trade down the line, the Knicks might have just guaranteed a plateau for their future.

The New York Knicks are still "determined" to re-sign impending free-agent wing OG Anunoby despite reportedly landing Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges via trade Tuesday evening.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that news, which was also relayed by SNY's Ian Begley and Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix:

The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024

Told that Knicks’ trade for Mikal Bridges does not change their hope that they can re-sign free agent OG Anunoby. That remains a priority for the club.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2024

New York intends to be aggressive in re-signing Anunoby, a source told @SInow. Bridges is not viewed as an OG replacement but another weapon in what could be a stingy Knicks defense. https://t.co/pNQ7L6WJ3E

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 26, 2024

Per Wojnarowski, the Knicks have agreed to trade Bojan Bogdanovic, "four unprotected picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031), a 2025 protected Milwaukee first, a 2028 unprotected pick swap and a 2025 second-round pick" for Bridges plus a 2026 second-round pick.

The Knicks went 20-3 when Anunoby played for them in the regular season. They won their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers with him aboard.

They won Game 1 of their second-round series with the Indiana Pacers, and then Anunoby had 28 points in 28 minutes before suffering a right hamstring strain. He played five minutes for the rest of the series, trying to play in Game 7 before his injury prevented him from doing so. The Knicks lost that game 130-109 and the series 4-3.

Even though the Knicks now reportedly have Bridges, who has two years and $48.2 million left on his deal and also played the wing like Anunoby, it's clear why the Knicks want OG back. Simply put, they were highly successful with him aboard, and having him and Bridges on the same team only makes the Knicks stronger.

Of course, it takes two to tango, and the price and fit have to be right for Anunoby. He's also bound to have other interest from suitors in free agency.

Ultimately, the Knicks have made a massive move in hopes of winning their first NBA championship since 1973, and bringing Anunoby back would be a huge win for the team in search of that goal.

The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets agreed on a trade that sent Mikal Bridges to the Knicks on Tuesday night, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets have agreed in principle on a trade to send F Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/TEGsIpoa3b

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024

The Nets received a massive haul for the two-way forward, as the Knicks gave up four unprotected first-round picks. New York also sent a 2025 protected first-round selection as well as an unprotected pick swap in 2028 (via Wojnarowski).

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Knicks have $140 million in committed salary after the trade. The Nets have roughly $169 million in total cap allocations for the 2024-25 season following the deal, via Spotrac.

New York still owns three picks in the 2024 NBA draft, holding the No. 24 and No. 25 selections in the first round as well as the No. 38 overall pick. Despite the large increase in Brooklyn's draft capital, the team does not own a pick in the 2024 draft.

Here are the updated rosters for each team after the massive trade.

Knicks Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

OG Anunoby, SF: $36.6M (2029)

Julius Randle, PF: $30.3M (2026)

Jalen Brunson, PG: $25M (2026)

Mikal Bridges, SF: $23.3M (2026)

Josh Hart, SF: $18.1M (2028)

Mitchell Robinson, C: $14.3M (2026)

Donte DiVincenzo, SG: $11.4M (2027)

Miles McBride, PG: $4.7M (2027)

Mamadi Diakite, PF: $2.3M (2025)

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Free Agents

Alec Burks, SG: UFA

Isaiah Hartenstein, C: UFA

Precious Achiuwa, PF: RFA

Jericho Sims, C: Club option

DaQuan Jeffries, SG: Club option

Shake Milton, SG: UFA

Jacob Toppin, SF: RFA

Charlie Brown Jr., SG: RFA

Duane Washington Jr., PG: RFA

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Nets Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

Ben Simmons, PG: $40.3M (2025)

Nic Claxton, C: $25M (2028)

Cameron Johnson, SF: $22.5M (2027)

Bojan Bogdanovic, SF: $19M (2025)

Dorian Finney-Smith, PF: $14.4M (2026)

Dennis Schröder, PG: $13M (2025)

Cameron Thomas, SG: $4M (2025)

Day'Ron Sharpe, C: $4M (2025)

Noah Clowney, PF: $3.2M (2027)

Dariq Whitehead, SG: $3.1M (2027)

Jalen Wilson, PF: $1.9M (2026)

Jaylen Martin, F: Two-way (2025)

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Free Agents

Dennis Smith Jr., PG: UFA

Keita Bates-Diop, SF: Player option

Lonnie Walker IV, SG: UFA

Trendon Watford, PF: RFA

Keon Johnson, SG: RFA

Harry Giles, C: UFA

Jacob Gilyard, PG: RFA

---

The Knicks will have several important free-agent decisions to make after acquiring Bridges, including center Isaiah Hartenstein. Wojnarowski noted on Tuesday that it's "more difficult" to bring back Hartenstein following the trade.

New York was able to re-sign forward OG Anunoby on Wednesday, bringing him back on a five-year deal worth $212.5 million (per Wojnarowski).

The addition of Bridges should help the Knicks maintain their status as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. New York finished the 2023-24 regular season with the No. 2 seed in the East by recording a 50-32 record, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. However, the Knicks fell to the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 after dealing with injuries to key contributors such as Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson.

Bridges should help New York's starting lineup remain relatively healthy throughout the 2024-25 season, as he holds the NBA record among active players by appearing in 474 straight games since he entered the association in 2018.

Anunoby should form a formidable defensive duo with the former Net. Bridges earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team in 2022 and has averaged at least one steal per game in each season of his career.

As for the Nets, they appear to be focused on rebuilding the roster with a large influx of draft picks and giving younger players such as Cam Thomas a larger role during his 2024-25 campaign. Brooklyn also agreed to terms with Nic Claxton on Wednesday, re-signing the center for $100 million over four years.