After Offloading Mitch Kupchak, Hornets Face Tough Decision on Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball With $676,954 Cap Room
Follow Us
The Charlotte Hornets were very active in the trade market ahead of the deadline. The one name that popped up often was small forward Miles Bridges, who was heavily linked for trade by the deadline. However, he did not opt to waive his no-trade clause and instead decided to stay with the team until the end of the season. On the other hand, LaMelo Ball has been quite inconsistent this season due to his injury. Under these circumstances, the Hornets are at a crossroads in determining the future of Bridges and LaMelo in the offseason.
Moreover, the Hornets went through another major change as Mitch Kupchak, the President of Basketball Operations of the team, stepped down from his position to take the role of Organizational Advisor. Amidst these significant overhauls, the franchise has to decide what to do with Bridges and LaMelo with the cap room they have.
Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball are on the hot seat
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Hornets currently have a salary cap of $141 million. Under this salary cap, they have $676,954 wiggle room to either re-sign or sign new players. Now, Bridges will hit the free agent market in the offseason. So, the Hornets have to decide whether to keep him or let him walk. However, keeping him would probably push them to be an over-the-cap team. The million-dollar question is, “How does Miles Bridges fit into the future and the cost to retain him?”
A clean salary cap sheet for a revamped Charlotte front office.
FA: Miles Bridges, JT Thor (T)
Projected Draft: #4, #58 (via OKC)
Room: TBD but unlikely
Big offseason decisions/questions
How does Miles Bridges fit into the future and the cost to retain him?
How reliable is… pic.twitter.com/hFal3z304S
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 12, 2024
This is a sticky situation for the team right now, but it will come down to how Bridges performs this season and if Charlotte is willing to take a bet on him. For now, the only thing we can say with certainty is that he will be in Charlotte for the remainder of this season.
Trending
Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers
April 27, 2024 01:45 PM EDT
Draymond Green ‘Disappointed’ In Anthony Davis For Throwing Darvin Ham Under The Bus On Live TV
April 27, 2024 02:44 AM EDT
“It Will Ruin the Game”: Citing Caitlin Clark’s Example, Geno Auriemma Warns WNBA
April 27, 2024 03:31 PM EDT
“Livid”: Dejected Fans Shocked As LeBron James Screams At Darvin Ham & Lakers’ Bench
April 28, 2024 04:25 AM EDT
“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment
April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Comparing “Cerebral” Chris Paul to LaMelo Ball, Ex-All Star Pinpoints What Makes Hornets Star Special
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As for LaMelo, the only area of concern is his health. Due to a severe ankle injury, he has played only 58 games in the last two years. Last year, he signed a rookie extension with the team worth $250 million for five years. Plus, the Hornets have made it clear that they want to retain LaMelo to build the franchise around him. So, it is highly likely that he will stay put after the season.
What other changes did the Hornets make?
Ahead of the trade deadline, Charlotte made some major roster changes. On 23rd January, they traded Terry Rozier to the Heat for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round draft pick. Then on the date of the trade deadline, they moved quickly to send off PJ Washington to the Mavericks in exchange for Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 first-round pick.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story – Sending Shockwaves in The Basketball World, Know 18YO MiLaysia Fulwiley’s Story
On the same day, the Hornets also acquired Vasilije Micic, Davis Bertans, and Tre Mann, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick from the Thunder by trading Gordon Hayward. It now looks like the team finally has the depth that they desperately need. The bottom line is that the Hornets did not stay dormant in the trade market. And for a team that is struggling, that’s a great start to a rebuild.
Written by:
Edited by:
Bilal Handoo