The Charlotte Hornets were one Play-in win away from ending a nine-year postseason drought. Because the team was so close, they are likely anxious to take the next step in playoff contention. Charlotte is already being linked in blockbuster trade rumors ahead of the 2026 offseason. Domantas Sabonis, in particular, is being linked to the team as a trade candidate.
The big man missed most of last season with a meniscus injury, but he is a three-time All-Star who would bring rebounding, interior scoring, and frontcourt playmaking to Charlotte. However, The Athletic's Sam Amick has reported that a trade isn't close and likely wouldn't happen until after the 2026 NBA Draft.
Even so, it is clear that change is inevitable with the Hornets this offseason. Jake Fischer and Mark Stein have suggested that the team could make Miles Bridges available in trade talks. The high-flying wing was a trade candidate at the trade deadline, but he should now be easier to move because his contract will expire after next season and has descended to $22.8 million from $27.2 million.
Bridges is a career 15.9-point-per-game scorer who surpassed the 20-point-per-game mark in three of the past four seasons that he played in. He also has had some off-the-court issues. The Michigan State product was arrested in 2022 for felony domestic violence, and he ended up missing the entire 2022-23 season.
With the legal issues seemingly in the past, Bridges could be an intriguing trade target for a number of teams now. He could even help make a Sabonis trade come to fruition.
