The New York Knicks have been playing the long game - and playing it well. Under Leon Rose, this front office has shown a knack for managing the finer points of roster building, and their handling of Mikal Bridges’ extension last offseason is a prime example of that strategic foresight.
Let’s rewind to the summer. The Knicks had just brought in Bridges via trade, and it was clear they wanted him in New York for the long haul.
But they didn’t rush to put pen to paper on an extension. Why?
Because they were keeping a much bigger picture in mind - one that potentially included Giannis Antetokounmpo.
At the time, there were whispers that Giannis might become available, and the Knicks weren’t about to box themselves into a corner. If they had extended Bridges too early, it would’ve triggered a six-month trade restriction due to the salary bump that comes with a new deal. That restriction would’ve taken Bridges off the trade table until well after the season had started - a non-starter if Giannis suddenly hit the market.
So the Knicks waited. They held off on the extension until August 1, a calculated move that set the trade restriction to expire on February 1 - just four days before the February 5 trade deadline.
That timing wasn’t accidental. It was surgical.
Fast forward to now: February 1 is almost here, and so is the trade deadline. And wouldn’t you know it - Giannis is reportedly available.
After months of shutting down calls, the Milwaukee Bucks are finally listening. The Knicks, who have long been floated as a potential destination for the two-time MVP, suddenly find themselves in a position where every player on their roster - including Bridges - is trade-eligible.
And that’s a big deal.
Now, let’s be clear: this doesn’t mean a Giannis-to-New-York deal is imminent. These blockbuster trades are notoriously complex, and there are other teams in the mix with deeper war chests of assets. But if Giannis wants New York - and there have been reports in the past suggesting he does - the Knicks have at least given themselves a legal and logistical path to make it happen.
Bridges is a key piece here. Technically, the Knicks could try to construct an offer without him, but realistically, a deal of this magnitude probably requires at least two of Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Of the three, Towns is the least attractive from a trade value standpoint, given his salary and age. That makes Bridges a likely centerpiece in any serious offer.
The beauty of it all? The Knicks timed this perfectly.
By extending Bridges when they did, they kept the door open for a potential megadeal right up until the buzzer. If the Bucks are ready to move Giannis, and if the Knicks are ready to push their chips in, Bridges will be eligible - and ready - to be part of the package.
It’s a masterclass in roster management. Whether or not the Knicks land Giannis, they’ve positioned themselves to be in the conversation. And in a league where timing is everything, that’s no small feat.