JULY 7: In a press release confirming that Bridges has signed his qualifying offer to return with the Hornets, president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak and Bridges himself both put out statements.
“Throughout this process, we have taken a measured and serious approach,” Kupchak said. “Several factors played a part in our decision to bring Miles back, including the conclusion of the legal process, the results of the NBA’s investigation and Miles’ commitment to counseling and community service. Our five-year relationship with Miles has allowed for open and honest dialogue. He has shown remorse, indicated that he has learned from this situation and expressed that it will not happen again. We look forward to Miles rejoining our team.”
Bridges statement reads as follows:
“I sincerely apologize for the pain, embarrassment and disappointment that last year’s incident caused so many people. Time away from the game allowed me to reflect, immerse myself in therapy and prioritize becoming a better person – someone my family and peers can be proud of. I’m grateful to the Hornets and the NBA community for giving me a second chance – most people don’t ever get one and I understand those questioning whether I deserve one. I will do everything I can to earn back the trust and confidence of my teammates, coaches, the Hornets organization and staff, fans, and the Charlotte community. I’m ready to return to work and can’t wait to rejoin my Hornets teammates.”
JULY 2: Restricted free agent Miles Bridges hasn’t been receiving the types of contract offers he was hoping for from the Hornets, so has signed his $7,921,300 qualifying offer in order to become an unrestricted free agent next year, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter links).
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets, signing the one-year qualifying offer would give Bridges the power to veto trades. However, if he were to approve a trade, the team that acquires him would lose his Bird rights.
Shams Charania of The Athletic hears (via Twitter) that a final contract offer was presented on Sunday before talks broke down, but he doesn’t clarify whether that offer came from Charlotte or Bridges’ camp — or perhaps both.
The 25-year-old forward sat out the entire 2022/23 season after facing a felony domestic violence charge. He agreed to a plea deal and was subsequently suspended by the NBA, who will require him to sit out the first 10 games of ’23/24.
Prior to that incident, Bridges was viewed as one of the top free agents of the 2022 class, having averaged 20.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 3.8 APG on 49.1% shooting in 80 games (35.5 MPG) in ’21/22.
Leading into free agency, it was impossible to know exactly how the Hornets and the rest of the NBA would value the former lottery pick, who was selected 12th overall in the 2018 draft. As valuable as Bridges can be on the court, the repugnant behavior he was accused of away from it likely gave potential suitors pause about pursuing him to represent their franchise.
Clearly, the Hornets had the leverage in contract negotiations after Bridges missed the entire season, which made him ineligible to be signed-and-traded. None of the teams with cap room decided to pursue him, but maybe that will change in 2024 if he has a strong season without further legal trouble.
Bridges was No. 8 on our list of 2023’s top 50 free agents.
What a shock. A guy who was suspended last year and the first bit of this year couldn’t get more than $7.7M?! I wonder why.
Because restricted free agents rarely get offer sheets these days. This is the best move he could make regardless of the off court issues
Best decision. Hopefully he keeps his head on straight and gets his money next year.
He will be suspended for the first 10 games of the season.
Lack of offers were a blessing in disguise. Despite what his agent might have told him. Take the year in familiar / lower pressure environment, and change the narrative. He has a lot of career left.
I cant imagine being such a lowlife to root for this guy to get paid.
I guess forgiveness is lost on you. You need Jesus.
“Forgiveness” and actively rooting for him to be paid more than many people will earn in their lifetimes are two entirely different things. If he keeps his head on straight and never does something like what he did again, then okay. That doesn’t mean he deserves a massive payday today before he’s shown proof he can change though.
So only those who follow your strict code of ethics are deserving of success?
Highwaymenace, do you consider not beating a woman -or anyone, for that matter- a strict code of ethics? I don’t.
I need jesus because I don’t root for a wife beater! Thats rich
Forgiveness has to be earned, in case you forgot. We aren’t there yet.
I think you’re confusing forgiveness with trust. Forgiveness is given by others. Trust needs to be earned by the person who lost it. We forgive people all the time for making a bad decision but this doesn’t mean I trust them not to make it again. This can only be gain through their future actions.
Unfortunately for some fans, the CBA doesn’t allow him to play in the NBA for free. Also he’s a very talented player who Charlotte wasn’t willing to give up for nothing. Hence why they extended him a qualifying offer which is already set by the current CBA.
Heat should make an offer
Where’s my money, cheater?
Next years fa class is looking pretty good today but…… ofc we will see a ton of exts and I think even more now as agents are seeing how dangerous the (free) market has become
There will be less than the (7) teams this year that will have actual cap next year – Probably only 3~4 with MAJOR (max) space, and most not competitive
Interestingly Philly can become one of those (max) teams with a little sly maneuvering this year that still keeps them competitive-
W Embid in tow and a basketball city behind them that might interest me as Philly to roll the dice in free agency next year – LAC can be Phillys huckleberry this year w Harden, getting a 3rd team involved probably helps Philly even more
The NBA should suspend him for a year…
Only fair…
Ja can’t go supporting violence with his childish behaviour… Bridges committed henious acts of violence and deserves a higher punishment…
Read the article again.
He was already suspended for the year plus the first 10 games next year..
Clearly not enough…
I should of said 2 years…
The first year happened before the NBA did anything so doesn’t count for me…
I do think, while similar in the broadest sense, there should be some distinction made between sitting out vs being suspended. 10 games of actual suspension is a little light. I was hoping for at least 20-25.
Definitely…
There should also be a distinction between team and NBA suspensions…
Adding them all together for a new total number rather than the current method of subtracting the games…
The reason he sat out the year was because of the punishment. It’s entirely the same thing as having been suspended at that time. Teams knew behind the scenes what was going on before the public found out. And no point signing a guy and tying up cap room when that player cannot play at all.
Whether or not a year and 10 games is appropriate is an opinion you can decide for yourself. But that’s what his suspension was.
He’s obviously going to out preform that 8mil price tag and then look to get that bag next offseason.
Considering a lack of support from the front office, Brandon Miller being drafted and the emergence of PJ Washington plus Hayward still on the roster I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a move in the future.
Charlotte would be smart to cash in on him knowing his next deal won’t be cheap. For a contender he’s a good 3 and D forward and on a really cheap deal.
It would probably happen at the deadline when teams are desperate and after Bridges has had time to get his legs under him again.
Like for example imagine the heat don’t get Dame. Start the year off slow without the likes of Vincent, Strus etc. Then at the deadline, Tyler Herro and a future first for Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges.
Rozier Lowry JRich Robinson Jacquez Butler Bridges Martin KLove Bam Bryant
Terry would fit right in at Miami. Hard working, can play both ends, good ball handler but can play off ball, can space the floor, and a playoff performer. Bridges again sold fit in, plays both ends, gives them much needed size, can switch defensively and gives them another good scorer.
And Herro in Charlotte would be a solid fit. Ball Herro Miller Washington Williams or something along those lines. Herro and Ball is much watch ball and would sell plenty of tickets. Great direction for the future and not to mention a first round pick too.
Brandon Miller the accessory to murder and Bridges the beater… quite the team to root for in CHA. Get the bag means something different to those guys.
If Hayward stays healthy the Hornets dont have the playing time for Bridges…
They certainly can’t advertise him as a starter…
Women buy basketball tickets and merch too…
Sorry , the only way Bridges isnt the starter is if he has rust to shake off , coaches don’t make decisions based on fan approval, if he’s close to the level he was playing at before the bs he pulled or he has continued his progression (as his career numbers suggest) Charlotte got a steal for 1 yr .. and obviously he will be the starter , healthy or no Hayward
No, they accompany men to games and buy team gear to support their relationship by showing an interest in their partners interests. Have you ever seen women at a game without a man and who weren’t on their phones the whole game?
Very happy this man will be playing basketball again.