For much of the season, Miles Bridges has been a name floating around just about every trade conversation in the league. The Charlotte Hornets were actively shopping him, hoping to land a first-round pick in return.
But when the offers came in, they didn’t quite move the needle - so the Hornets hit pause. Instead of shipping out their longest-tenured player, they’re keeping him in teal, at least for now.
According to reports, the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns were among the teams that showed legitimate interest in Bridges. And it’s easy to see why - he brings a mix of athleticism, scoring punch, and positional versatility that can plug into a variety of systems.
But Charlotte, despite a rough 13-25 start to the season, has flipped the script in recent weeks. A red-hot eight-game win streak has changed the tone around the franchise, and perhaps more importantly, it’s shifted the front office’s approach.
General Manager Jeff Peterson decided to pivot from seller to buyer - a move that signals belief in this group’s potential. One of his first swings was bringing in Coby White from the Chicago Bulls. White, who’s averaging 18 points per game this season, gives Charlotte a dynamic scoring option off the bench and a reliable backup behind LaMelo Ball.
And when the Hornets roll out their preferred starting five - Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Bridges, and Moussa Diabate - the results speak for themselves. That unit owns a 12-1 record and has quietly become one of the most efficient lineups in the NBA. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective - a mix of youth, length, and skill that’s starting to click at just the right time.
As for Bridges, his current contract runs through the end of next season, meaning there's a real chance he stays in Charlotte for the foreseeable future. He’s made it clear he wants to be part of what the Hornets are building. Last month, he told the Charlotte Observer that while he understands the business side of the league, he’s focused on what he can control - stacking wins and keeping the chemistry intact.
"I feel like everybody else wants everybody to stay together," Bridges said. "But you've just got to control what you can control, continue to stack games."
And that chemistry? It’s no small thing.
Bridges may not be a headline-grabbing superstar, but he’s a proven bucket-getter with elite athleticism and a reliable corner three. He fits snugly into head coach Charles Lee’s system, where he’s slotted in at the four.
While Bridges plays more like a wing, the Hornets have enough size in the frontcourt - with Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Grant Williams, and Tidjane Salaun - to let him operate in that hybrid role.
For a franchise that’s been stuck in lottery purgatory for the better part of two decades, this stretch feels different. The Hornets are showing signs of life, and with Bridges staying put, they’re banking on continuity, chemistry, and a little bit of momentum to carry them forward.