Heading into the 2025-26 season, Mikal Bridges seemed to be the most likely Knicks players to benefit from a coaching change. However, the hope of a breakthrough season has slowly dissipated.

To the naked eye, Bridges is having a solid season. He’s averaging 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists through 68 games. Bridges’ efficiency numbers are good. The 6-foot-6 wing is shooting a solid 37.6 percent from three and 49 percent from the field.

Despite consistently being on the floor, Bridges has been inconsistent from game to game. He’s in the midst of a post-All-Star break slump, recording 10.8 points, while shooting just 32 percent from the three-point line in 13 games. Over the last five games, Bridges has hit rock bottom, averaging just 6.4 points on 32.5 percent from the field. This includes a scoreless game in 27 minutes of action last Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

With starters Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart out due to injury on Friday night, Bridges scored just 11 points on nine shot attempts in a 101-92 win against the Indiana Pacers.

One of the central reasons for Bridges’ scoring drop is a lack of aggression. He’s not shooting well from outside, but he’s also not creating opportunities for easy points. Bridges is often avoiding contact at the rim and taking fadeaway turnaround jumpers in the paint. This recent struggle highlights how difficult it is to produce on offense when you can’t find easy baskets or free-throws.

Bridges has attempted just 84 free-throws in 2,280 minutes this season. Before Friday night’s game, Bridges had gone four games and 105 minutes played without taking a freebie. Bridges has attempted fewer foul line attempts in 150 games with the Knicks (202) than he did in his last season with the Brooklyn Nets (317).

New York could be more deliberate and run more off-ball actions to get Bridges open. But, the swingman needs to be more aggressive and willing to accept contact for it to matter.

The Knicks do have other options when Bridges is in a rut. There’s been moments where Bridges hasn’t closed games, as Knicks head coach Mike Brown has opted to play backup Landry Shamet. Before Shamet, the injured Miles McBride was also an occasional closer in place of Bridges.

Not all is bad. In the win against Indiana, Bridges did knock down a key three-pointer with under two minutes to help put the Pacers away. A career 37.2 percent shooter from beyond the arc, Bridges’ outside shot should return before the season ends.

Bridges has also been effective on the defensive end and has played a significant part in New York’s rise to fifth in the NBA in defensive efficiency this season.

The future

Bridges has experienced ups and downs through nearly two years with the Knicks. He’s had some explosive offensive moments like a 41-point night against the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas in 2024. He made several clutch defensive plays throughout last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, including game-sealing steals in the first two games of the second round.

But he can fade in the team’s offensive structure. There are some moments where Bridges feels like a luxury to have on the roster. The club’s net rating with him on the floor versus off is virtually the same this season according to NBA Stats.

The weight of expectations for Bridges is heavy. Any performance from the wing will be tied to how the Knicks sent five first round picks to the Brooklyn Nets to acquire him. Bridges is owed $150 million over the next four years which is a hefty salary.

With the Knicks near the second apron, and looming free agency for key rotation players Mitchell Robinson, Shamet and rookie Mohamed Diawara this upcoming offseason, this Knicks team could get even more expensive.

If the Knicks fall short of expectations in the playoffs this year, could they look at dealing Bridges? If his struggles persist, it will become even more of a possibility.

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