With the 2025-26 season being the last on his current contract, this was an important summer for the Knicks to lock in Bridges as a member of the team’s core moving forward. His reported contract extension includes a player option for the final season (2029-30) and a trade kicker if he were to be dealt at any point. In his first season with the Knicks, Bridges started all 82 regular-season games, averaging 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in 37.0 minutes. Continuing to serve as a key member of the Knicks’ starting lineup, Bridges is a safe bet to offer middle-round value in standard fantasy leagues next season.

As Tyrese Haliburton’s primary defender, Bridges has been asked to log heavy minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals. After playing 46 minutes in Game 1, he played another 45 on Friday, proving to be New York’s second-best offensive option. Once again, Bridges got going after halftime, shooting 8-of-13 from the field in the second half. With New York heading into Sunday’s Game 3 trailing two games to none, Bridges’ playing time is unlikely to decrease, especially with Josh Hart (6/6/1/1/1 in 29 minutes) not providing much offense.

After shooting 4-of-14 from the field in Wednesday’s Game 5 blowout defeat, Bridges needed to bounce back, as did many of his teammates. The Knicks wing got the job done in Game 6, shooting well over 50 percent from the field and recording a complete stat line. While there has been the occasional hiccup, Bridges has repeatedly reminded fans during this playoff run why the Knicks paid a high price to acquire him last summer. On Wednesday, the Knicks host the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.