Bridges, Suns agree to $90M extension
Mikal Bridges has strongly expressed his desires to stay in Phoenix.
“I want to be here,” Bridges repeatedly said after Friday’s practice.
The Suns have shown the feeling is mutual.
The Arizona Republic confirmed Sunday through league sources that Bridges has agreed to a four-year rookie extension for $90 million, fully guaranteed, as Monday is the deadline for rookie extensions for first rounders in the 2018 draft class.
Bridges was the 10th overall pick in 2018.
Had the Suns and Bridges not come to an agreement on an extension, Bridges would’ve been eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season.
As a restricted free agent, any team could’ve made him an offer, but the Suns could’ve matched that.
However, it’ll never reached that point as Bridges’ extension will kick in next season as he initially signed a four-year deal as a rookie out of Villanova for $17.6 million.
The third-year wing is coming off a career year as he averaged 13.5 points on 54.3% shooting (42.5% from 3) last season in helping the Suns reach the NBA Finals.
Having established himself as a perimeter defender who can knock down 3s, the 6-6 Bridges, 25, enters this season looking to expand his game in terms of creating shots off the dribble for himself and others.
Suns center Deandre Ayton is also up for a rookie extension as ESPN reported last week contract talks had stalled over the Suns’ reluctance to offer the first overall pick in the 2018 draft the five-year rookie max extension worth $172 million.