CHARLOTTE — After a drawn-out, lengthy process with extensive talks between team executives and player agents, the Charlotte Hornets have retained a key component of their roster going forward.
Per multiple reports over the weekend, the Hornets and Miles Bridges have agreed to terms for a three-year, $75 million deal to keep the star forward in the Queen City through the 2026-27 season.
Bridges, 26, was an unrestricted free agent prior to his re-signing with the Hornets.
Along with his agent, Rich Paul, Bridges reportedly weighed out potential sign-and-trade scenarios before ultimately choosing to take the new contract with Charlotte.
It was a decision that Hornets majority owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin—along with head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson and coach Charles Lee — had undoubtedly labored over, mulling both the performance and moral ramifications of keeping the controversial wing in town.
The move has drawn mixed reactions from fans so far, with some lamenting the decision to hold on to Bridges, while others have favored the idea of retaining the “Big Three” identity of Bridges, All-Star guard LaMelo Ball and second-year forward Brandon Miller.
Two years ago, Bridges was on the heels of a career 2021-22 season and just one day away from receiving a contract in the range of $150 million when his negotiations were thwarted by a felony domestic violence arrest and a no-contest plea that led him to miss the entire 2022-2023 season.
This time a year ago, Bridges had just been signed by Charlotte to a one-year, $8 million qualifying offer to keep him around for the 2023-24 season, where he averaged a career-best 21 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
The explosive wing provided the Hornets a consistent offensive threat and a much-needed workhorse — playing a career-high 37.4 minutes per game — in a season hampered by injuries and setbacks.
Because of the trade veto power he had in his deal, Bridges used his contract clause to stay in Charlotte at the trade deadline, stating his intentions that he wanted to remain a Hornet. The former Michigan State star was verbally opposed to approving any trade proposals, opting to stay with the Hornets through the rest of the season.
On Feb. 14, a prosecutor dismissed three criminal charges connected to a separate domestic violence case against Bridges because of “insufficient evidence,” and inconsistent victim statements, court documents show.
Charlotte declined to comment on the dropped charges.
While Bridges’ legal troubles have started to dissipate from the national spotlight, the shadow cast on his reputation will continue to fight an uphill battle, perhaps an inevitable side effect of the public seeing images of the violence he inflicted on his partner two years ago.
In a re-introductory news conference this past season, Bridges suggested his on-court effort would sway public opinion in his favor, adding “I can’t control what comes out about me.”
“I know a lot of people feel a [certain] way about me being back, and I understand that,” he said. “And like I said before: I have to gain their trust back, so I’m just going out there and looking to play. I feel like if I can get us some more wins, I feel like people’s perspective will change a little bit on me.”
In a postgame interview during the season, he was asked outright if he wanted to stay in the Queen City going forward.
“I can just control what I can control. I’m just trying to get to the next day,” Bridges said. “I’d love to be here. I got drafted here and they stuck with me through my lowest times so I for sure want to be here.”
Along with the front-office angle, Charlotte’s decision to keep the sixth-year forward appears to also be a testament to how the franchise’s revamped coaching staff views his on-court effectiveness.
The team announced last week that it has finalized its 2024-25 coaching staff.
Lamar Skeeter, Josh Longstaff, Chris Jent, Blaine Mueller, Ryan Frazier, Matt Hill and Jermaine Bucknor are assistants on Lee’s staff, while Zach Peterson was brought in as an assistant coach/director of player development and Kemba Walker will serve as a player enhancement coach.
Walker, a four-time All-Star who played a 12-year NBA career, is the Hornets’ all-time leader in points, field goals, three-pointers, free throws and minutes played. He ranks second in Charlotte history in assists, third in steals, and third in games played; Walker averaged 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists over 750 career games.
