The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly keeping tabs on Hornets forward Miles Bridges as they look to bolster their wing playmaking. But if Charlotte’s asking price is any indication, this is one call Milwaukee should let go straight to voicemail.
According to reports, the Hornets are seeking one or more first-round picks in any deal involving Bridges. That’s a steep price for a player whose impact on winning remains very much up for debate. And for a Bucks team with limited draft capital - they’re currently working with just one tradeable first-rounder, their 2031 pick - the math just doesn’t add up.
Let’s break it down. On paper, Bridges is putting up solid numbers: 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on 44.3% shooting.
That’s respectable volume, but the efficiency tells a different story. He’s shooting just 33.2% from three - right in line with his career average - and hasn’t shown consistent growth as a floor spacer.
Outside of a blip in 2020-21, his long-range shooting has been shaky at best.
Then there’s the defensive side of the ball, where Bridges continues to struggle. He’s never been known as a stopper, and the advanced metrics back that up.
He’s posted a positive on-off rating just once in his career and doesn’t contribute much in the way of steals or blocks. This season, the Hornets are actually 1.7 points worse per 100 possessions on offense when Bridges is on the floor - not exactly what you want from a guy who’s supposed to help drive your scoring.
Add it all up, and you get a brutal -10.1 on-off rating - a number that places him in the bottom 10% of the league. In seven seasons, Bridges has only posted a positive net impact three times. That’s not the profile of a player you give up a first-round pick for, let alone your only one.
To make matters worse, Bridges’ production has dipped recently. Over his last four games, he’s averaging just 9.3 points - a cold stretch that only adds to the skepticism. If the Hornets are hoping to sell high, the timing couldn’t be worse.
There’s also the question of fit. Reports suggest Charlotte isn’t interested in Kyle Kuzma, who would be Milwaukee’s most logical outgoing piece in a Bridges deal.
That’s probably for the best. Kuzma’s having a stronger season on both ends of the floor, especially when you look at true shooting percentage and defensive impact.
Swapping him for Bridges - and tossing in a 2031 first-rounder to boot - would be a tough pill to swallow for Milwaukee.
Bottom line: the Bucks need to be aggressive in finding help on the wing, but this isn’t the move. Bridges might offer some scoring punch, but the inefficiency, defensive shortcomings, and lack of positive impact make him a risky bet - especially at a premium price. Milwaukee would be wise to keep that 2031 pick in their back pocket and explore other options.