Report: Hornets set high asking price for Miles Bridges

After drafting Brandon Miller with the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, there's no doubt that the Charlotte Hornets are rebuilding their roster. In Miller and LaMelo Ball, the franchise has two future stars to develop their team around. 

Miles Bridges is young enough and talented enough to be the third piece of that puzzle. However, his legal issues and his expiring contract led to his name being floated in trade rumors ahead of the league's Feb. 8 deadline. 

Despite those factors, the Hornets front office has set a significant asking price for one of their most talented players. According to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, they want any interested team's best young players in return for the talented forward.

“Rich Paul, who is his agent, is going to control the process,” Goodwill said, via the "Good Word with Goodwill" podcast. “Charlotte, from what I’ve heard, has asked some teams for, we want your best young player and a first-round pick. Who can afford to give that up?”

Bridges has played in 38 games so far this season. He's averaging 21.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three-point range. With unrestricted free agency looming, the Hornets may choose to move on from him rather than risk losing him for nothing during the summer.

If Charlotte rolls the dice on free agency, they may have a legitimate chance of retaining the 6-foot-7 forward. He has a rapport with Ball. He is building chemistry with Miller. And he could be part of the Hornets core moving forward. If Charlotte can turn their franchise around and start winning, Bridges could rebuild his reputation around the NBA. 

Most contending teams would likely be willing to part with a young talent in return for Bridges. He brings immediate upside and could be a legitimate factor in the playoffs. However, he would likely need to verbally commit to re-signing with his new team once the season ends. 

With so many hurdles to clear and less than two days until the trade deadline, the Hornets may find themselves fielding multiple calls and dealing with time-sensitive negotiations.