Hornets Re-Sign Controversial Forward

Bridges’ Contract

Bridges’ deal is for three years and $75 million. This has to make one wonder: why so much money?

Up to this point in his career, Bridges has made $24 million and will be getting paid $23 million next season. In reality, he shouldn’t have been paid so little last year. During the 2021-22 season, Bridges broke out onto the scene, averaging 20.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. However, he sat out the entire 2022-23 season, dealing with charges of domestic violence and abuse. Viewed as somewhat tainted goods, the only offer Bridges received after his year off from the NBA was a qualifying offer from the Hornets for $7.9 million. He proved that he hadn’t lost a step with the year off, putting up 21.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The Hornets likely gave him so much money because he was yet to have a serious payday.

However, one has to wonder who the Hornets were bidding against. While the Clippers were rumored to be in talks, those talks were for a sign-and-trade to acquire Bridges, as they didn’t have the cap space to pull it off. The teams that did have cap space in free agency this year weren’t going to sign him to a large deal, and the teams that didn’t have cap space would’ve only been able to acquire him if it was a priority, which it wasn’t. That begs the question: would anyone other than the Hornets have offered Bridges this much money? Still viewed as tainted goods, I don’t think so. The Hornets likely could have signed him for far less than they did.

Bridges’ Fit On the Court

Returning to Charlotte, Bridges returns to a system that fits him perfectly basketball-wise. He can run pick-and-rolls with LaMelo Ball, throwing down monstrous dunks like he’s used to. However, he will have to earn his time on the court. The Hornets have plenty of forwards ready to compete, such as Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, and rookie Tidjane Salaün. Bridges needs to keep building off his past success if he wants to stay on the court.