Warriors Among Teams Eyeing Miles Bridges, Despite Off-Court Controversy
As the trade deadline inches closer, the Golden State Warriors are once again in the thick of the rumor mill. While the headlines on Friday were dominated by the team’s reported interest in superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, there’s another name surfacing in connection with the Dubs-Miles Bridges.
According to league sources, the Warriors are one of several teams-including the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks-keeping tabs on the Charlotte Hornets forward. Charlotte, for its part, is reportedly seeking at least one, possibly two, first-round picks in return.
Bridges, a versatile wing with size and scoring punch, would fill a need for Golden State, which has struggled to find consistent production at the forward spot behind Andrew Wiggins. But this isn’t a typical trade rumor. Bridges’ name brings more than basketball into the conversation.
A Complicated Player Profile
Bridges has had a turbulent and troubling off-court history. He missed the entire 2022-23 season following a felony domestic violence conviction related to a June 2022 incident involving the mother of his children.
The details of the case were graphic and disturbing, including medical reports that cited a concussion, nasal fracture, and multiple bruises. After reaching a plea deal, Bridges avoided jail time but was sentenced to probation and required to follow a 10-year protective order.
The NBA handed down a 30-game suspension-20 of which were considered served during his year away from the league. He returned to the Hornets this season, issuing a public apology and stating he had used the time to seek therapy and work on becoming a better person.
But even after that return, questions about Bridges’ accountability and growth remain. Less than a year after the plea agreement, he was arrested for violating the protective order-twice.
One incident involved alleged attempts to contact the victim via phone and social media. Another stemmed from an October altercation in which the victim initially claimed Bridges shattered her windshield while she and their children were inside the vehicle.
Though she later retracted her statement and the charges were dropped, the incident underscored ongoing concerns about Bridges’ behavior and compliance with court orders.
Warriors’ History and the Bigger Picture
The Warriors’ reported interest in Bridges adds another layer to a complicated recent history when it comes to players with allegations or convictions of domestic violence or sexual misconduct.
Kendrick Nunn, who went undrafted out of Oakland University, was signed by the Warriors to a partially guaranteed contract and played in the G League before being picked up by the Miami Heat. Nunn had previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery and was dismissed from the University of Illinois following the incident.
More recently, the Warriors signed Anthony Lamb to a two-way contract during the 2022-23 season, later converting it to a full NBA deal. Lamb had been accused of sexual assault by a former college classmate.
While team officials, including then-GM Bob Myers, said they had done their due diligence, that process did not include contacting the woman who reported the incident to her university’s Title IX office. Head coach Steve Kerr never publicly addressed the case but was vocal in his support of Lamb’s on-court contributions.
Now, with Bridges potentially on their radar, the Warriors are once again facing scrutiny-not just for the basketball fit, but for what the move would signal about the organization’s values and decision-making process.
Draymond Green’s Support
Adding another wrinkle is Draymond Green’s vocal support of Bridges. The two share an alma mater in Michigan State, and Green has been one of Bridges’ most public defenders.
After Bridges was charged, Green was seen working out with him. Later, following an on-court altercation between Bridges and the Warriors, Green went out of his way in a postgame interview to say, “Miles can do no wrong to me.”
For a player as media-savvy as Green, that kind of statement doesn’t happen by accident. Whether it was meant to be a show of loyalty or something more, it certainly raised eyebrows given the context.
What Comes Next
From a pure basketball standpoint, Bridges is a talented player who could help a team like Golden State. He brings athleticism, scoring, and positional versatility-traits that would fit well in Steve Kerr’s system. But any team considering a move for him must also reckon with the off-court baggage and the message it sends to fans, players, and the broader basketball community.
Charlotte’s asking price-potentially two first-round picks-suggests they know they have a valuable asset on the court. Whether any team is willing to meet that price, and navigate the public fallout that could come with it, remains to be seen.
For the Warriors, a franchise that has long prided itself on culture and character, this is more than just a trade decision. It’s a test of values.