Source: David Berding / Getty
It’s been five days since the NBA Draft took place, as the Charlotte Hornets, drafted Brandon Miller #2 overall, along with Nick Smith Jr in the first round, as Charlotte used four of their five picks in the entirety of the draft. The focus now turns to free agency, which gets underway later this week, and the Hornets have plenty of decisions to make. First off, they have to decide whether or not they are not going to bring back Miles Bridges or not. That decision very well could well impact if PJ Washington will be back in Charlotte, as he’s a restricted free agent this summer. Ever since they signed Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward to massive contracts, it has felt like they’ve been trying to trade, one or the other, if not both. Is that an option this summer, as Charlotte looks to retool their roster around LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, and now Brandon Miller? And if not, how does Charlotte fill out their roster, if they don’t make any major moves? Those questions will start getting answered later this weekend, with the start of free agency beginning on Friday.
Earlier today on the Wes & Walker Show on WFNZ, NBA front office insider Bobby Marks stopped by to talk about many of these topics, including the contract that the Hornets could potentially give Bridges, after missing all of last season with an off-the-court issue. Marks replied saying “What’s your comfort level? On talent alone, Miles is a $25, $30 million dollar player, last season changed things dramatically. Is he looking for something to reestablish himself? For me, I’m not going more than $15 million dollars a year for him.” Back before the 2021-22 season, Charlotte offered Bridges a four-year, $60 million dollar contract, which he turned down, and before his domestic issue on the eve of free agency last year, he was in line to receive a massive contract.
Marks would also make it known that he thinks PJ Washington will be back, meaning that Charlotte will have to make decisions on Kelly Oubre Jr, and Dennis Smith Jr. When you look at the Hornets roster, when healthy they have a team on paper, more than capable of winning over 40 games, and playing meaningful basketball into the month of April. But how they decide to fill out the entirety of the roster, may ultimately determine just how deep into April the Hornets could play next season.
