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.
ESPN Sources: The Charlotte Hornets and restricted free agent forward Miles Bridges are gathering traction in talks on a new deal and optimism exists that an agreement could come in the relative near future: https://t.co/JQoDc5HbYv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 23, 2022
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.
Man the Miles Bridges news just gross all the way around
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 23, 2022
1) That Charlotte wants him back
2) That ESPN agreed to a Friday 5 PM ET news dump to minimize PR blowback
3) That ESPN wrote or agreed to write the phrase "his role in an offseason domestic violence case"
Miles Bridges plead no contest A MONTH AGO for beating up his girlfriend in front of their children in May.
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) December 23, 2022
How long of a suspension? What amends has he made? How has he repaired harm? The NBA can't be the "progressive" league while also welcoming abusive players w/o conditions https://t.co/2ETK5czG6U
News dumping Miles Bridges on the Friday afternoon before Christmas is one of the more disgusting PR moves I’ve seen in my adult life.
— Danny Marang (@DannyMarang) December 23, 2022
The lack of shame is sickening.
Miles Bridges should never play another game in the NBA. https://t.co/YdBkx0NMvc
— My Full Name: Michael Francis Acker (@mikeacker) December 23, 2022
On the Friday before Christmas. This might be the all-time worst news dump. Gross. Just gross. https://t.co/TijYT8LBjk
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) December 23, 2022
Miles Bridges beat his girlfriend in front of their two kids, and the kids said he did it. He plead no contest.
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) December 23, 2022
There is no room for pretending this is even slightly vague. He did that shit and everyone knows it.
Miles Bridges is going to get a new contract.
— Zach (@zmp323) December 23, 2022
Deshaun Watson got a new contract.
Trevor Bauer is about to be back in baseball.
These leagues need to stop pretending that they have morals.
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.