By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Mikal Bridges is set to ink a four-year contract extension worth $90M with the Phoenix Suns, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed, as noted.
Bridges, 25, was working with the Suns towards a deal ahead of Monday’s deadline for the teams to re-up players selected in the 2018 NBA draft. Instead of becoming a restricted free agent, the new contract will kick in following the end of the rookie contract. Coming out of Villanova as a two-time NCAA champion, Bridges was selected with the 10th overall pick.
The Philadelphia-born forward averaged career-highs 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per Regular Season game in the 2021-22 season. He went on logging 11.1 points per contest in his first Playoffs run helping his side win the Western Conference and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. The Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo prevented the Arizona organization from capturing the championship.
Celtics create roster space
In the opposite direction, the Boston Celtics will open a roster spot by placing Jabari Parker on the waivers, according to multiple surfaced reports. His $2.3M salary was set to become guaranteed at the start of the 2021-22 Regular Season.
Parker, 26, was selected with the 2nd overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft by the Bucks. After the conclusion of his rookie contract, he moved to the Chicago Bulls in 2018, and from there brief stints extended to the Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, and Sacramento Kings prior to landing in Boston last April.