The New York Knicks’ decision to sign Mikal Bridges to a four-year, \$150 million extension has several implications, but perhaps the most significant one reaches beyond New York—it signals that Giannis Antetokounmpo is almost certainly staying put this offseason.
That was always the most likely scenario. Giannis hasn’t shown signs of pushing for a trade, and the Bucks’ recent move to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard to clear room for Myles Turner suggests they’re still operating with the expectation that their two-time MVP will remain in Milwaukee.
Still, speculation about Giannis’s future has lingered, partly due to his vague public comments. The Knicks have been among the teams keeping a close watch, hoping he might eventually request a trade and name them as a preferred destination.
However, New York isn’t well-positioned compared to other teams. They can’t trade a first-round pick until next summer and don’t have elite young talent to headline a blockbuster deal. Any Giannis trade proposal would depend on the Bucks’ desire to stay competitive, given they don’t control their own first-round picks until 2031. In that case, the Knicks would likely offer a package centered around their veteran players—minus Jalen Brunson.
That’s where the Bridges extension becomes especially telling.
Due to the terms of his new contract, Bridges cannot be traded for six months—ruling him out of any summer deal. Though the Knicks can still move him before February’s trade deadline, he’s now unavailable for inclusion in any immediate trade talks.
New York may have extended Bridges to gain financial certainty about their core, especially with the risk of him commanding over \$200 million in free agency. Still, it’s hard to imagine the timing of this move wasn’t influenced by Giannis’s status.
While the Knicks could still make a run at Giannis with players like OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, or Mitchell Robinson, Bridges was arguably their strongest trade asset—and they’ve just made him untouchable for the near future. That’s not something a team does if they believe there’s a real chance Giannis will be available soon.
All signs now point to the Knicks believing Giannis won’t be moved until at least the trade deadline—or possibly not until next offseason. Other interested teams around the league would be wise to take the hint.