The Hornets have refuted an ESPN report that suggested they are having contract talks with restricted free agent forward Miles Bridges, as relayed by Paige Masten of the Charlotte Observer.
On Dec. 23, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Hornets and Bridges were “gathering traction” in contract talks. There have since been no updates.
That news definitely raised some eyebrows. While Bridges is coming off a fantastic season, and was set for a big payday, things took a major turn after he had been accused of domestic violence in the summer.
The case reached an end in November, when Bridges pleaded no contest and received a sentence of three years probation. Now, he presumably will be suspended by the NBA if and when he plays again, though for how long is unclear.
“We have not been engaged in contract negotiations with Miles Bridges,” the Hornets told the Observer in a statement.
If Bridges and the Hornets fail to reach a deal, he will remain a restricted free agent in July, when anyone could sign him and the Hornets would have to match.
Bridges would lose 1/110th of his salary for each game he misses should a suspension last at least 20 games, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN.
A hard-nosed defender, Bridges averaged 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 80 games with Charlotte last season. He has spent each of his first four NBA seasons in Charlotte, displaying durability by appearing in at least 65 games every year.
As part of the probation, Bridges has to undergo a year’s worth of domestic violence counseling, as well as take 52 weeks of parenting classes.
The Hornets would not comment on whether they intend to try to sign Bridges during the offseason.
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