Miles Bridges Speaks on Future with Hornets

The veteran forward intends to stay in the Queen City.

Apr 5, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) brings the / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After missing the entire 2022-23 season, many were curious if Miles Bridges would ever be the same player again. It didn’t take long for him to prove that he could not only be productive, but be the leader a young team ravaged by injuries needed to keep things together throughout the course of a long 82-game season.

When asked what he felt he proved this year he replied, “That I could still play basketball. Not too many people can be out of the league for a year and come back and average the same numbers that they did.”

Bridges played at a high level consistently, but maybe the most surprising stat is that he finished fourth in the NBA in minutes played (37.4). Pretty impressive for someone who went an entire season without playing. 

Now, the focus shifts to getting a new contract worked out. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but remains committed to being a part of what the Hornets are trying to build.

“It’s still the same,” Bridges responded when asked about his upcoming free agency. “I would love to be here. It’s my plan to be here. I love the city of Charlotte. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I grew up here. I’ve been here since I was 20. I’ve been through a lot here and the Hornets stayed down on me when they didn’t have to. It’s like a family to me here. My mom loves it here, my family loves it here. It’s home to me.

“You don’t see too many people finishing their careers (where they started). Steph (Curry) he’s kind of been that model player for this generation. A lot of people be moving teams and moving around. I don’t want to do that. I want to be like Step, Kobe, and Dirk in that type of way - staying with a team and winning with a team.”