A report printed two days earlier than Christmas final month indicated that the Hornets and ahead Miles Bridges have been discussing a attainable contract and have been, “gathering traction,” of their negotiations. Nevertheless, the Hornets deny that they’re in talks with the restricted free agent, based on Paige Masten of The Charlotte Observer.
“We now have not been engaged in contract negotiations with Miles Bridges,” the Hornets informed Masten in an announcement.
Bridges was on observe to be one of many high free brokers within the class of 2022, however was arrested and charged with felony home abuse simply days earlier than his rookie contract expired, casting doubt on his NBA future. He was accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend in entrance of their two youngsters.
Bridges in the end labored out a plea take care of prosecutors in Los Angeles County, agreeing to plead no contest to at least one cost of felony home violence whereas two little one abuse counts have been dismissed. The 24-year-old averted jail time by accepting three years of probation. He was ordered to attend a 12 months’s price of home violence counseling classes and parenting lessons along with finishing 100 hours of group service.
Given the small print of Bridges’ case, the Hornets are positive to face criticism if they convey again the ahead, who could face a prolonged suspension from the NBA earlier than he’s allowed to play. With that in thoughts, it’s arduous to know with any certainty how real their assertion is.
It’s notable that the Hornets didn’t rush to dispute Adrian Wojnarowski’s report about their alleged talks with Bridges when it was printed in December. It’s additionally price noting that the Hornets stated they, “haven’t been engaged,” in discussions with Bridges, slightly than merely stating they “haven’t engaged” in negotiations with him — there could also be some semantics at play there, with the workforce indicating that the talks haven’t been ongoing.
Based on Masten, the Hornets declined to remark when requested in the event that they’ve dominated out the potential for bringing again Bridges.
Primarily based on Woj’s report final month and the truth that the Hornets haven’t made a transparent effort to distance themselves from Bridges, I believe he’ll be again beneath contract with Charlotte in some unspecified time in the future. Nonetheless, the workforce’s assertion to Masten suggests it would but be some time earlier than it occurs.
