The Charlotte Hornets picked up a gritty 119-115 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night at Spectrum Center - and they did it in front of a loyal home crowd that braved some nasty weather to show up. That kind of support hasn’t gone unnoticed by the players, especially Miles Bridges, who took a moment postgame to shout out the fans for sticking with the team through thick and thin.
Now sitting at 18-28, the Hornets are still looking up in the standings, but this win was another step in the right direction. They're still 10 games under .500, but there’s something to be said for a team that continues to battle - and a fanbase that continues to believe.
Bridges turned in a solid night, dropping 20 points to go with three rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes. He shot 7-for-13 from the field, showing off that smooth lefty stroke, though he struggled a bit from the line, going just 3-of-7. Still, his presence was felt on both ends, and performances like this are exactly why his name is heating up in trade conversations around the league.
With the Hornets now 8-13 at home, there’s a clear message: if they want to keep their play-in hopes alive, they’ve got to start stacking wins in their own building. That’s where Bridges and the rest of the core come in - but the question looming over Charlotte right now is whether Bridges will still be wearing teal and purple after the trade deadline.
According to league sources, Bridges is drawing serious interest from contenders. The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns are all reportedly keeping tabs on the 27-year-old forward. He doesn’t hold a no-trade clause, which gives the Hornets flexibility, but it also raises the stakes.
Charlotte’s front office isn’t just looking to make a deal for the sake of it. Word is, the Hornets aren’t particularly interested in what the Bucks are offering - specifically, Kyle Kuzma - and draft capital is expected to be a major sticking point in any potential trade. That means any team hoping to land Bridges will need to come correct with assets that fit Charlotte’s long-term vision.
Bridges, who’s represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, is in the first year of a two-year deal worth $47.8 million. He’s earning $25 million this season and is set to make $22.8 million next year before hitting free agency. Since being drafted 12th overall in 2018, he’s spent his entire career with the Hornets, growing into one of their most consistent offensive threats.
There’s also been some buzz around the Los Angeles Lakers, given their strong ties to Klutch Sports and the presence of LeBron James, but as of now, nothing has materialized on that front.
With the trade deadline fast approaching on February 5 at 3 p.m. ET, the clock is ticking. Whether the Hornets decide to keep Bridges and push for a play-in spot or flip him for future assets will say a lot about where this franchise sees itself - not just in the short term, but in the seasons ahead.