Miles Bridges is expected to be available on the trade market ahead of the offseason, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. The forward is entering the final season of his three-year, $75 million contract with the Hornets, creating early speculation around his long-term future in Charlotte.
Bridges, 28, remained a consistent scoring presence throughout the 2025-26 season. He appeared in 77 games, all starts, averaging 31.0 minutes per game while posting 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest. He shot 46.0% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range while maintaining an 82.2% mark from the free-throw line.
Charlotte finished the regular season at 44-38, securing a play-in position in a tightly contested Eastern Conference. The team’s offensive structure leaned heavily on LaMelo Ball’s playmaking and perimeter creation, alongside Brandon Miller’s scoring development on the wing.
Ball averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists per game, while Brandon Miller produced 20.2 points per game on 43.5% shooting. Rookie wing Kon Knueppel added 18.5 points per game on efficient shooting splits, forming a three-player core that carried much of Charlotte’s perimeter production.
Within that framework, Bridges functioned as a secondary scoring option and transition finisher. His ability to operate as a physical forward allowed Charlotte to balance half-court creation with rim pressure, particularly when opposing defenses focused on Ball and Miller.
The contract situation places Charlotte in a decision-making window. With Bridges on an expiring deal, rival teams are expected to monitor availability closely, especially those seeking scoring depth at forward without long-term financial commitments.
