The Hornets are in talks to bring back Miles Bridges, who pled no contest to charges over a violent assault of his wife in front of their kids.
Miles Bridges could be back in the NBA soon, if the Hornets have their way.
On Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN broke the news that Bridges and Charlotte are “gathering traction in talks on a new deal.”
Bridges, who was a restricted free agent this summer, was without a deal in the first place because he was arrested and charged with multiple felony domestic violence charges in July.
He allegedly assaulted his wife in front of their childen. His wife posted photos and hospital documents on Instagram appearing to diagnose her with a closed fracture of her nasal bone, a rib contusion, bruises and a neck muscle strain.
The 6-foot-6 power forward ultimately pled no contest in November, accepting three years of probation as well as domestic violence counseling, parenting classes and community service, but no jail time.
Now the Hornets have “optimism” about working out a new deal, though Bridges is likely to be hit with a suspension by the NBA. The league is still investigating his case and has not handed down any punishment.
NBA Twitter slams Hornets, ESPN for Miles Bridges news dump
Many on NBA Twitter weren’t pleased with the idea of Bridges getting a new deal with the Hornets, or the plainly obvious news dump with the story dropping late on the Friday afternoon before Christmas.
Organizations will often dump news on a Friday afternoon knowing attention will wane over the weekend. It’s a tactic to avoid a tidal wave of negative press. Instead of Bridges’ potential return being all over sports radio and TV, it’s going to get lost in coverage of the weekend’s games, including a marquee Christmas slate.