Forward Miles Bridges missed all of last season after a domestic incident and remains a restricted free agent today.
Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Bridges is expected to return to the NBA next season and be back with the Hornets.
As Stein noted, bridges recently posted a picture of himself working out in Charlotte on social media. Bridges was wearing Hornets gear during the workout.
As Stein also pointed out, the Hornets have until June 29 to tender a $7.7 million qualifying offer to Bridges to re-establish him as a restricted free agent. That date marks a year to the day that Bridges was arrested for allegedly assaulting Mychelle Johnson in front of their two children.
The case reached an end in November, when Bridges pleaded no contest and received a sentence of three years probation.
Bridges, 25, was also ordered to attend a year’s worth of domestic violence counseling sessions, parenting classes, and 100 hours of community service.
The NBA recently suspended Bridges for 30 games as a result of the case, though he has been credited for 20 served. So he will have to sit out 10 games before suiting up with the Hornets or any other team should be signed.
Bridges indicated in February that he could return to play the season’s final month — which, of course, never happened.
“It’s been a long process,” Bridges said, via Larry Lage of The Associated Press. “I might be back in March.”
Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak has indicated the team would wait for the NBA to conclude its investigation before reaching any decisions on Bridges.
The Hornets (27-55) failed to make the playoffs are are headed for the May 1 lottery and Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. On the court, without a doubt, they could use a talent such as Bridges.
He put together a career year in 2021-22, averaging 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists. All were career highs.
As an aside, Stein wrote: “One caveat to monitor: Will Michael Jordan indeed sell the Hornets — which could obviously change things — before next season starts?”
NBA notes on a Sunday (as it should be) featuring a tribute to the greatest arcade video game of all-time … and all the latest from around the league: https://t.co/UXFvLZsPpj
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 30, 2023
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Bridges would be a TREMENDOUS addition to the Cavs as far as adding size, strength, TOUGHNESS and supreme athleticism to their frontcourt. He has solid scoring ability and was improving his 3-point shot. He or PJ Washington would be great (like Lauri) at the 3 for us. I would love to see him at the 3 and he could move to the four when Allen or Mobley are on the bench! Let’s cheer for Charlotte to win the Victor lottery ball. One of those guys would suddenly be available.