The 2022 offseason is about to kick into full gear on Wednesday with the decision on player and team options on contracts. It will also begin the process of teams offering qualifying offers to players from the 2018 Draft Class that hadn’t signed an extension yet. Most notably, this includes Deandre Ayton in Phoenix. But there are more names up for grabs, possibly.
One of those players is Miles Bridges, the standout forward in Charlotte that had a tremendous year as the secondary star next to LaMelo Ball. Many people have even floated the idea of Bridges getting a max contract, something the Hornets may not want to match. As a result, Bridges has been hinting at leaving Charlotte on social media recently.
The most recent social media interaction that has fueled rumors of a departure from Charlotte is Bridges commenting on Luka Doncic’s photo after he played with Slovenia in international basketball.
Peep who commented on Luka’s IG 👀#MFFL pic.twitter.com/jOMn17TkFJ
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) June 27, 2022
Bridges may be trying to get the rumor mill swirling and linking him to Dallas to put more pressure on the Hornets. From a realistic perspective, Dallas acquiring Bridges looks like a long shot. Even if Jalen Brunson walks in free agency, Dallas is capped out and can’t put out an offer sheet that Bridges would want to sign.
In addition, Dallas does not have the trade assets to pull something off for Miles. The expiring contracts of Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber may not interest the Hornets who want to make a playoff appearance this season. In addition, other players like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Davis Bertans add long-term strain on the salary cap as Charlotte needs to figure out how to build around LaMelo Ball.
Losing Bridges will be a massive blow to Charlotte, especially with the chemistry he has with LaMelo. If Bridges is insistent on going to Dallas, maybe something can be worked out, but the likelihood of the same is slim.
