Mikal Bridges likely to wait on a Knicks extension

On the eve of his contract-extension eligibility, Mikal Bridges claimed ambivalence.

“I have no clue, man,” Bridges said Monday. “I’m just excited for training camp.”

Beginning Tuesday, Bridges becomes eligible for a two-year, $60 million extension tacked on to the remaining two seasons of his deal.

It’s a no-brainer decision to offer the max from the Knicks’ perspective.

But money-wise, it makes no sense for Bridges.

If he waits until next year to sign, Bridges would be eligible for a standard veteran extension worth as much as $146 million over four years.

And if he waits until free agency in 2026, Bridges can sign for approximately $295 million over five years.

Jalen Brunson took a big discount this summer in the name of security and maintaining the Knicks’ financial flexibility, opening the door for rumors of his former Villanova teammate doing the same.

But an extension for Bridges this month would be an even bigger discount and commitment from a player who has yet to log one game with the Knicks.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported recently that “indications are” Bridges “will wait until next year” to sign an extension.

The Knicks want Mitchell Robinson feeling 100 percent before he returns from another setback in his recovery from surgery, according to Tom Thibodeau.

“We’re going to be patient and take our time with it,” said the coach, who wouldn’t answer if he expects Robinson to return this season. “I don’t want to put any sort of time frame on it. When he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go. He’s doing well. I can tell you that with what he’s doing right now. And so, again, we’re just going to go step by step with that.”

Despite Thibodeau’s vagueness, a league source said Robinson is expected to play again in December or January.

Still, that timeline is also fluid and subject to Robinson hitting milestones in his recovery.

He originally underwent surgery in December to repair a stress fracture in his ankle.

Robinson then suffered a setback during the playoffs and had another procedure.

The circumstances created a hole at center and helped push the Knicks into a blockbuster deal for Karl-Anthony Towns.

“You’re going to take it step by step,” Thibodeau said about Robinson starting when/if he comes back. “First thing is to get him back and see where he is. I like the versatility he gives us. We won a lot of games with our rebounding last year. We know he’s elite. Offensive rebounder, probably the best in the league. Defensive rebounding. Rim protection. Pick and roll defense. Those are things he adds to the team.”

After a shake-up in the Knicks staff, Darren Erman is moving to the front of the bench alongside Rick Brunson and Andy Greer, The Post has learned.

Erman, a former assistant with the Celtics, Warriors and Pelicans, was in the second row last season but is moving up following the departure of Johnnie Bryant, who joined the Cavaliers staff this summer to reunite with Donovan Mitchell.

While Bryant held the title of “associate head coach” — or lead assistant — a source said Thibodeau will view Brunson, Greer and Erman equally.

Each team is allowed three assistants in the front bench.

The Knicks also hired two new assistants this offseason — Maurice Cheeks and Mark Bryant — creating a veteran staff, many with longstanding ties to Thibodeau.

Cheeks carries the most experience but was also reportedly close to retiring from full-time coaching before joining the Knicks.

The other Knicks assistants are Dice Yoshimoto, Othella Harrington and Daniel Brady.

Scott King, another Knicks assistant last season, left in the summer to become the head coach of the Spurs’ G League team.