Future for Miles Bridges
On June 29th, 2022, Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges was arrested in Los Angeles, but freed after posting $130,000 bail. Bridges was arrested and charged with domestic violence and child abuse. The district attorney’s office said that the charges involve an assault to Bridges’ girlfriend. The incident occurred in front of their two children in late June. On Tuesday, prosecutors filed one felony count involving the injuring of a child’s parent and two felony counts of child abuse for conditions that are likely to cause injury or death. Bridges pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, but faces up to 11 years and eight months if convicted.
The Hornets said in a statement that they are aware of these charges. Bridges has been a Hornets player since 2018, and his 2021-2022 season was a big one, averaging 20.2 points, seven rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. When the news broke of his arrest, the Hornets were assuring their fans that Bridges was to remain a priority and that his future on the team seemed inevitable. Basketball has not really been the top priority since Bridges’ arrest but nor is it the last as the basketball world is not going to hit pause. There are only a few outcomes for Bridges with basketball and the Hornets following his arrest.
One outcome is Bridges receives a multi million deal which was the expected outcome only a month ago. Although this scenario would involve serious talking within the team’s management. The Hornets would really be diving in without knowing the future. Bridges would be receiving a guarantee of a full season without knowing what would happen as the case unfolds. Also despite Bridges having severe talents and being the team’s lead scorer, the team could experience extreme backlash post this contract. This scenario might be the most controversial and trickiest one. Although, the Hornets already faced a similar situation in 2014 when 2012 draft pick Jeff Taylor was suspended for pleading guilty to domestic violence charges. The next season Taylor played 29 games, starting in 13. After that season, the Hornets severed ties with him and no team picked him up causing him to never play on an NBA court again.
Another outcome would be Bridges signing his qualifying offer. This is usually used to help small-market teams retain their young players or as a formality leading to a bigger multi-year contract, but in this case it may be Bridges’ best chance to remain an NBA player. By extending this offer, 7.9 million, the Hornets are still in play with the ability to match any offer Bridges may get from another team. Other offers may not come though as many teams may want to steer clear of controversy.
A third possible outcome is the Hornets deciding to sever ties with the controversy and pulling their qualifying offer, making Bridges an unrestricted free agent. This would represent his exile from the team and the start of an uncertain career. Bridges may have played his best season since 2018, but with this outcome it is very possible that he will never play another NBA game.