Report: Charlotte Hornets deny having contract negotiations with Miles Bridges
The Charlotte Hornets have denied having any contract negotiations with Miles Bridges. It was reported last month that the Hornets and Bridges were working on a possible deal. Bridges remains a restricted free agent, as the Hornets never rescinded their qualifying offer to him.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the contract discussions between the Hornets and Miles. Both sides were rumored to be optimistic about finalizing a new deal, but the Hornets denied the reports by releasing a statement to The Charlotte Observer.
"We have not been engaged in contract negotiations with Miles Bridges," the Hornets said.
Miles Bridges was set to receive the biggest pay day of his career last summer. However, he was arrested a few days before the start of free agency for felony domestic violence. He was charged with three counts of felony before pleading no contest last November.
Bridges avoided jail time but was sentenced to three years probation, 52 weeks of parenting classes and domestic violence counseling and 100 hours of community service, as per CBS Sports.
If he gets signed by the Hornets or any other team, it's expected that the NBA will suspend him for violating the league's domestic violence policy. The longest suspension for the same offense was 24 games, which was handed to former Charlotte Hornets player Jeffrey Taylor in the 2014-15 season.
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LA Lakers and Detroit Pistons showed interest in Miles Bridges
After Miles Bridges avoided jail time in his domestic violence case, several teams reportedly showed interest in the Charlotte Hornets forward. Shams Charania of The Athletic said that the LA Lakers and Detroit Pistons are monitoring the situation.
"Miles Bridges is a restricted free agent," Charania said. "He is eligible to be signed by any team, but there is a league investigation on-going after he pleaded no-contest to a felony case.
I'm told there are several teams, including the Lakers and Pistons, that are monitoring the situation and waiting to see exactly what transpires with his conversations with Charlotte and otherwise. He has a qualifying offer that did expire, but he still remains a restricted free agent."
"I'm told there are several teams, including the Lakers and Pistons that are monitoring the situation."
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania has the latest on restricted free agent Miles Bridges. https://t.co/hjwNtRtHqs
If the Lakers or Pistons sign Bridges, the Hornets will have the right to match the contract. The problem with signing Bridges is that he will likely be suspended for a significant amount of time. There's also a potential backlash from fans and people due to what happened in the offseason.
Bridges had a breakout campaign last season, averaging 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He came in seventh in the Most Improved Player of the Year voting.
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