Mikal Bridges is eligible to sign a four-year, $156.2 million max extension with the New York Knicks—and has been since the end of the NBA Finals. The absence of an agreement has given way to plenty of speculation. And, well, the Knicks just basically confirmed why no deal is in place: They want to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Bridges signs for the full freight, he cannot be moved to another team for six months. This would mean he can’t be part of any midseason package for Giannis. That is beyond problematic for a New York squad that can’t trade any first-round picks until next summer.