Hornets' Miles Bridges 'Popular' Trade Target; Mavs Among Interested Suitors

The Mavs are among various teams reportedly expressing interest in "popular" trade target Miles Bridges before the midseason deadline.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have a clear priority to upgrade at the power forward position ahead of the February trade deadline. Grant Williams, the Mavs' most acclaimed offseason addition, fell out of favor regarding a starting role as a lack of positional size remains a problem to address. 

According to Matt Moore of Action Network, Miles Bridges has emerged as a popular trade target around the NBA, with teams such as the Mavs, Sacramento Kings, and Detroit Pistons already showing trade interest. 

"Miles Bridges, who put his wife in the hospital two years ago, is a popular trade target. Sacramento, Detroit, and Dallas are mentioned as teams who have shown interest," Moore wrote.

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Bridges is a controversial trade target for any NBA team, considering his off-court controversy involving domestic violence. He served a 30-game suspension, with 20 of them being credited for being sidelined for the entire 2022-23 season. He's averaged 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 28 games, shooting 46.4 percent from the floor, 35.1 percent from deep, and 86.0 percent on free throws. 

A team would need to be prepared to commit to Bridges' long-term after trading for him, considering he is playing on a one-year, $7.9 million contract after signing the qualifying offer with the Hornets. 

Regarding Bridges' impact, the only offensive play type he has excelled in this season that occurs at a meaningful rate has been transition (1.303 PPP - 86th percentile). He's been at least respectable as a catch-and-shoot option. With the Mavs, he'd indeed be deployed in a more complementary manner to be a play finisher to leverage his athleticism. Still, he would need to hone in on his defensive responsibilities. 

The Mavs have become a lightning rod for trade interest for power forwards on the market, including Bridges' teammate, P.J. Washington. Dallas was linked to Pascal Siakam before he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, with other names still available, including Kyle Kuzma, Jerami Grant, and Dorian Finney-Smith.

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The Mavs clearly need to reinforce the supporting cast around Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II with whatever reasonable measures possible. With more size on the wing, Dallas could take pressure off its rookie big man as he continues to develop as an impactful rim protector and interior play finisher.