The Charlotte Hornets have signed their own unrestricted free agent, combo forward Miles Bridges, to a new three-season, $75 million contract, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Brandon Cavanaugh have informed Shams Charania of The Athletic.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the deal doesn't include a team or player option, meaning Bridges is locked into a future with Charlotte.
Bridges may have been one of the most talented, highest-upside free agents available this summer, but his horrific behavior in his personal life appears to have cooled the market for his services.
Last season, the 6-foot-7 small forward/power forward averaged 21 points while slashing .462/.349/.825 shooting splits, along with 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks a night. He appeared in just 69 contests in part because he was finishing up a 30-game suspension for the Hornets. Bridges incurred the suspension following a 2022 felony domestic violence charge, after allegedly hurting then-girlfriend Mychelle Johnson with two of their three children present.
Bridges ultimately pled no contest to one of three charges and is currently serving a three-year probation. He violated that probation last October, when he attacked Johnson's car with their kids inside, breaking its windshield.
Retaining Bridges to the tune of $75 million was clearly done with only his on-court behavior in mind.
It's been a busy day for Charlotte thus far. The Hornets are acquiring point guard Devonte' Graham's partially guaranteed salary and a second-round draft pick from the San Antonio Spurs and intend to waive their own former player in Graham. Charlotte is also waiving stretch-four power forward Davis Bertans.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the team will most likely acquire Graham first, then complete its trade for former Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green, followed by its acquisition of point guard Reggie Jackson. Marks projects Charlotte to then sign Bridges, a deal it will be making last because Bridges' cap hold had been pegged at $15 million, making it easier to make the other moves first. The team will still have the $8 million room mid-level exception to sign an additional free agent this summer.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Hornets are also cutting raw big man Aleksej Pokusevski, the former No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports that shooting guard Bryce McGowens, whom the Hornets selected with the No. 40 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is also being cut.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Newsweek contributing writer Alex Kirschenbaum is a hoops fanatic who has managed to parlay his passion into a writing career. ... Read more
