Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges is using Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam as motivation for an anticipated “breakout” season.

Bridges said that Siakam is “big motivation” for him, especially after seeing the 25-year-old Cameroon native increase his numbers en route to an NBA championship and the 2019 Most Improved Player of the Year award.

“Yeah, that's one of my goals (winning Most Improved Player),” Bridges told ESPN's Eric Woodyard. “Siakam was a big motivation for me last year just to see his numbers from the years before to what he put up last year and winning the title so he is definitely a big motivation for me so I feel like if he could do it, I could do it, too.”

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The Hornets traded for Bridges out of Michigan State on draft night in 2018 from the Los Angeles Clippers, who selected him with the 12th overall pick. Appearing in 80 games during his rookie season, Bridges averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.2 minutes per game, mostly coming off the bench.

Many around the NBA predict a down year for the Hornets, who failed to reach the playoffs last season, too. With the loss of Kemba Walker to free agency, Charlotte might have to rely on young players like Bridges, guard Malik Monk and rookie PJ Washington.

Meanwhile for Siakam, the 6-foot-9 Raptors forward signed a contract extension with the Canadian franchise this week, inking a four-year, $130 million deal to stay in Ontario long-term.