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.

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.