The extension might not have happened if the Knicks believed they had a serious shot to land an elite player in a trade this summer.

The New York Knicks officially closed the chapter on their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Mikal Bridges now signed to a four-year, $150 million extension, the team made its direction clear. They want to build around their core and move forward without waiting on the league’s biggest names.