Miles Bridges ‘accepts $7.9million qualifying offer from the Charlotte Hornets’

Restricted free agent forward Miles Bridges is prepared to sign his $7.9 million qualifying offer from the Charlotte Hornets, according to reports.

Talks towards a long-term deal between Bridges and the Hornets stalled and the 25-year-old decided to end negotiations with the team.

Rather than purse an offer sheet from another team or a sign-and-trade, Bridges agreeing to the one-year deal will pave the way for him to be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Bridges will still be facing a 10-game suspension after pleading no contest in the domestic violence case that caused him to miss the entire 2022-23 season. His suspension had originally been 30 games, but the league decided to shorten it to 10 based off the missed season.

Before his legal issues Bridges was expected to command a $100-plus million contract as an RFA.

Miles Bridges is prepared to sign his $7.9 million qualifying offer from the Charlotte Hornets

The 25-year-old forward sat out all of last season due to a domestic violence case

Charlotte recently gave superstar point guard LaMelo Ball a five-year max contact extension

Back when he last played in the 2021-22 season Bridges averaged 20.2 points, 7 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Following that season the Hornets plan had been to build around Bridges and point guard LaMelo Ball as franchise cornerstones for years to come, although it remains unclear how much his legal situation may have altered those plans.

Charlotte recently agreed to give Ball a five-year max extension that could be worth up to $260 million and are still in negotiations with RFA forward P.J. Washington. 

They also recently selected former University of Alabama forward Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick in this draft.

Bridges will also have the ability to veto in potential trade this season, if the Hornets attempt to move him due to their improved depth in the front court.