Miles Bridges' domestic violence situation was heartbreaking to see. No problem should escalate high enough to where it leads to physical abuse. Still, the Charlotte Hornets have a job to do and an organization to run with or without Bridges part of the team. No one is quite sure what they plan on doing, but there are plenty of different scenarios that make sense for them to execute. The Hornets have a young team on the rise and have a franchise player already in LaMelo Ball. What they do next with this situation, will determine if they have a legit shot to make the playoffs or not.
Re-sign Bridges on a prove-it deal
Signing Bridges to a one-year deal might be what is in the best interest of the Hornets. They don't necessarily have to give him a four-year deal worth max dollars like he wants. Make him work for his money again, just like he did in the summer of 2021 when he declined a four-year $60 million deal to make more money in the long run. Now it's time for the Hornets to make Bridges prove that he deserves the bag. Bridges put the organization in a bad light. Plus, people are bound to raise an eyebrow at any team that decides to sign him.
Sign & trade for Deandre Ayton
Now the Phoenix Suns are in the sweepstakes for Kevin Durant amidst his trade request, but they should have a plan B just in case they can't land the two-time champion. Deandre Ayton is a restricted free agent, so the Suns will likely try to work out a sign & trade to not let him walk for nothing. So why not try to swap Bridges with Ayton? Both guys are from that stacked 2018 draft class. The Suns could get the perfect complementary piece alongside Devin Booker and Chris Paul. A 3&D guy that has the potential to grow into a star. While the Hornets will get a big that could flourish in a new situation. Ayton wasn't being utilized properly in Phoenix anyway. If he was to land in Charlotte, he could show why he was a number one pick back in 2018.
Essentially, it is a pretty even swap. Bridges gets to play for a championship contender and Ayton gets an opportunity to be a number one option on a young team on the rise. Who says no?
Pay him his money
This might not be what anyone wants to hear, but Bridges has shown he could be a star in the making for the Hornets. Loyalty is not something that is common in the NBA in this day and age. Just look at Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving's situation. Although Bridges is not on the level of those two guys, he is still a good player with the potential to be great. He has formed an entertaining duo with LaMelo Ball and has improved his game every year that he's been in the league. He went from averaging a little over 12 points a game to averaging 20 in 2021-22.
He is only 24 years old. His best years are ahead of him for sure. As the Hornets continue to build out the roster in the next few years, this team has the potential to be really good. Bridges has established himself as a cornerstone piece already.
Again, this doesn't mean what he did to his wife is justified. He deserved his punishment and then some. If he doesn't receive any offers from teams, everyone will know why. Which is highly doubtful. Someone somewhere will give him a chance, he's too talented not to receive any interest from any team. Hopefully, he learned his lesson and can put this chapter of his life behind him. Time to re-focus and play basketball.
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