The only restricted free agent left on the market may have a deal in place in the near future, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports that the Hornets and forward Miles Bridges are “gathering traction” in their contract negotiations.
Bridges was on track to be one of the top free agents in the class of 2022, but was arrested and charged with felony domestic abuse just days before his rookie contract expired, casting doubt on his NBA future. He was accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend in front of their two children.
Bridges ultimately worked out a plea deal with prosecutors in Los Angeles County, agreeing to plead no contest to one charge of felony domestic violence while two child abuse counts were dismissed. The 24-year-old avoided jail time by accepting three years of probation. He was ordered to attend a year’s worth of domestic violence counseling sessions and parenting classes in addition to completing 100 hours of community service.
Following the resolution of his legal case, Bridges appears to have a path back to the NBA, though the league is completing its own investigation into the incident and has the power to suspend the four-year veteran. As Wojnarowski writes, Bridges can’t begin serving a possible suspension until he signs a new NBA contract, so if the Hornets intend to bring him back into the fold, they could be motivated to get something done sooner rather than later.
It’s unclear how long a suspension Bridges would be facing. Wojnarowski notes that another former Hornet, Jeffrey Taylor, was banned for 24 games in 2014 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence assault. Bridges didn’t formally admit guilt in his case, but the allegations were considered credible and the NBA would likely face substantial pressure not to let him off lightly.
If he’s suspended for at least 20 games, Bridges would lose 1/110th of his 2022/23 salary for each game he misses, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
On the basketball court, Bridges had a breakout season in 2021/22, establishing new career highs in points (20.2), rebounds (7.0), and assists (3.8) per game while starting 80 games and averaging 35.5 minutes per night.
No chance the league allows him to come back. At least until he’s off probation. Dude is literally a felon.
The league would be facing their own legal battle if they don’t let him play since he plead down and I think some of the charges were dropped. If no one signs him, that’s another thing.
Uh, no they wouldn’t. The NBPA might get involved depending on how long a suspension would be, but they absolutely will and should suspend him. It’s irrelevant whether or not he was convicted in terms of what the league can do.
I’d be surprised if he’s allowed to play his season. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.
If he does indeed sign a contract, I think it shouldn’t be active until the start of the 2024 season. The NBA needs to make an example out of Bridges.
I think that’s probably a pretty safe bet. Don’t see the NBA spending him for a length of time where he would be allowed to come back this season. Not that the Hornets would even really care about that given the ongoing tank.
OJ Mayo was banned from the league for far less…
Bridges deserves to spend his entire probation on the sidelines…
He may have pled out to get the felony counts of child abuse dismissed, but that doesn’t suddenly mean he didn’t do it. Gross if anyone signs this abuser.
Hornets are really that desperate huh ? Lol!
link to sportskeeda.com
OJ Mayo was banned for 2 years for far less of an offensive offence…
Bridges should receive a 10 year ban…
Is it unethical to pick him up in fantasy?
Nope. You are playing a game to win.
A really BAD look for not only Charlotte, but the NBA. Baseball found a way to keep Trevor Bauer out for years. Football still hasn’t let Colin Kaepernick find his way into the game, and he didn’t even do anything wrong. Point being, if the league wants to keep him out they will. The fact that this story is out here lets you know Charlotte and the NBA are all good with it.