Hornets Make Small-Market Decision To Double Down On Miles Bridges
Miles Bridges re-signed with the Charlotte Hornets on a three-year, $75 million deal
Dan Karpuc - Jul 6, 2024, 4:38pm EDT
In a significant move for the Charlotte Hornets, free agent forward Miles Bridges has agreed to return to the team on a three-year, $75 million contract, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Bridges explored sign-and-trade scenarios but ultimately chose to remain with the Hornets, solidifying a core that includes All-Star guard LaMelo Ball and promising second-year forward Brandon Miller.
Despite his off-court issues, Bridges is set to continue his career with the Hornets. The 26-year-old missed the entire 2022-2023 season due to a no-contest plea for felony domestic abuse, also resulting in a 10-game suspension at the start of the 2023-2024 season. However, he put up numbers last season, averaging 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. (Most of that came with Ball out, so he benefitted from the extra usage.)
Securing Bridges on a three-year deal continues a somewhat busy offseason for the Hornets. The team recently acquired forward Josh Green from the Dallas Mavericks, a 23-year-old starter, and accumulated four future second-round picks in various deals. The Hornets still have access to a room mid-level exception and probably aren't done adding pieces.
Despite these moves, the Hornets face long odds for the upcoming season. According to BetMGM, the team has +100000 odds to win the 2024-2025 NBA title (tied for the longest odds), +50000 to win the Eastern Conference (also tied for the longest odds), and +15000 to win the Southeast Division, placing them behind the Magic, Heat, and Hawks, but ahead of the Wizards.
This decision to retain Bridges, despite his off-court issues, may raise some eyebrows, especially with the team under new head coach Charles Lee, who recently won a title as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. However, for a small-market team like the Hornets, attracting top free-agent talent is a challenge. Therefore, retaining a player of Bridges' caliber, despite his baggage, may be the best path forward to remain competitive in the ever-tough NBA landscape.