With the Charlotte Hornets season coming to an early close, there are a lot of question marks looming over the organization.

Will James Borrego be the head coach in the 2022-23 season? Is Mitch Kupchak still going to be the general manager for this squad? Has Gordon Hayward's time in Charlotte come to a close? However, the unknown that fans really want answered concerns the future of Miles Bridges.

He turned down a $60 million extension last summer to bet on himself, and is poised to win big as a result. He's made himself into a legitimate three-level scorer and might be the Hornets' best perimeter defender, wedging himself into the race for Most Improved Player.

So, what's the deal? Does Bridges want to return to Charlotte as his dip into restricted free agency dawns?

“I would love to come back for sure. I don't worry about that, I'll let my agent worry about that. Any questions on that you gotta hit up Rich Paul,” the 24-year-old said during his Thursday exit interview. “I would love to play with [LaMelo Ball] and Terry [Rozier] for the rest of my career. We all damn near averaged 20 points this season. I'm happy to be a part of this.”

Despite his clear desire to remain with the Hornets, angst exists about the price tag Bridges could command on the open market come July.

The contract that keeps getting tossed out there is a five-year, $173 million deal, first reported by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Other teams don't have the luxury of affording Bridges a five-year deal, but will no doubt come calling with four-year offers including similar annual salaries—both in hopes of prying one of the league's best young wings from Charlotte and forcing the team to pay up to keep him.

Still, the Hornets do have the advantage of hearing Bridges say he wishes to remain in the Queen City. He even commented on how his family loves it in Charlotte, as well.

“My mom and kids love it here,” he said. “Charlotte has really taken me in. I grew up here and everyone has embraced me. I was a 20-year-old kid and now I'm a 24 year old man. I love it here man.”

Bridges' game has taken a leap forward every year since the Hornets made him the 12tyh overall pick of the 2018 draft.

In the 2020-21 season, Bridges was averaging just below 13 points per game. In the 2021-22 season, he averaged 20 points per game for an ascending team that just missed out on the franchise's first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Hornets have watched Bridges' game grow year after year, so spending extra cash on him now might be the best option they have. Letting him walk would be a crucial blow to a talented young core that ranks among basketball's best.