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[Saba Sports News] The New York Knicks made a splash by acquiring All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they had already shown their commitment to contending in the Eastern Conference with an earlier trade for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets.
However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports that Bridges isn’t ready to sign an extension with the Knicks just yet.
“The indication I’ve gotten from talking to people is that there will not be an extension,” Marks said. “He will wait until next year because of the six-month rule limiting what he can extend for. Next year, he can sign a four-year extension.”
Marks also mentioned that Bridges’ stance could change before the October 21 extension deadline, especially after the Towns trade.
Before landing Towns, the Knicks had reunited Bridges with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart. However, DiVincenzo was traded to Minnesota in the Towns deal, ending hopes of seeing the full Villanova quartet together on the court.
Despite this, Bridges is expected to play a key role for the Knicks. Last season, he played all 82 games for the Nets, averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals on 43.6% shooting from the field and 37.2% from beyond the arc.
With Towns and Bridges joining the lineup alongside Brunson, Hart, and OG Anunoby, the Knicks look poised to contend in the East. Towns is expected to fill in at center with Mitchell Robinson sidelined due to injury, after the team lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency.
The Knicks finished last season with the second-best record in the East and reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals before falling to the Indiana Pacers in seven games.