Drafted in 2018 and therefore coming to the end of his rookie contract, Miles Bridges now finds himself a restricted free agent. The winger has improved a lot this year and as a reward he thinks he deserves a nice nest egg. If a franchise is ready to put a really big deal on the table, will Charlotte executives follow?
These days, we hear more about the Hornets for their off-road exploits, like Kenny Atkinson posing a bunny at Charlotte’s front office, Montrezl Harrell arrested for drug trafficking, and also Miles Bridges who does not hesitate to post a photo of him with a joint and a glass of lean in his hand in Instagram story, claiming that it is “pink lemonade”. But with the Draft and the Free Agency coming in, we’re starting to talk about contract extensions. And according to Shams Charania from The Athletic, Miles Bridges will ask for a max or near-max contract this summer, which probably won’t surprise many people. Because the 24-year-old winger has officially changed in size this season, he who dropped his best career season to send Charlotte to the Play-in tournament after a campaign ended with a positive record (43 wins – 39 losses). For his first NBA season with more than 20 points on average, with a bonus of 7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, Miles Bridges was the best possible player alongside 2021 Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball. However, this does not mean that the Hornets will accept with closed eyes to grant him such a contract.
According @ShamsCharaniaNBA managers expect Miles Bridges to ask for “a max or near contract” this summer.
Hesitation in Charlotte about matching the offer, if Bridges signs one in July.
Perfect completely from LaMelo Ball, but at what cost? pic.twitter.com/N6u6lxSroE
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 20, 2022
As a reminder, Miles Bridges is one of the biggest free agents available during this Free Agency, but he will be restricted. Like other friends from the Draft 2018 class, like Collin Sexton for example. This is an opportunity for these guys, and in particular Bridges, to land their first big contract after four years under their rookie deal. But because of the restriction, the Hornets can match the offer that another franchise will make to Bridges, we think for example of a team like Portland which seems to be interested in its services. In the end, Charlotte therefore retains control over Miles’ future. And despite recent off-pitch events, the Hornets know their winger is still an important part of their game, identity and future. In any case, it will be a very interesting file to watch, even more so when we know what Charlotte did in the Draft. The Hornets have picks 13 and 15 on Thursday, which gives a lot of trading opportunities. One of the two should logically be used to try to get a confirmed player who can help the Hornets progress next year.
It is logical to see Miles Bridges asking for so much money, especially after a very good 2021-22 season which marks the blow and proves its progress. But the Hornets can also score in the Draft and we can’t wait to see how it all plays out in the weeks to come. See you Thursday first, and especially in July to see if the Hornets will do everything – or not – to keep it.
Text source: Shams Charania (The Athletic)
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Miles Bridges could ask for “a max or almost contract” this summer!