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Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges signs a four-year contract with Nike

By Noah Purser

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Miles Bridges reacts after being selected twelfth by the LA Clippers on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Miles Bridges reacts after being selected twelfth by the LA Clippers on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The 12th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has signed a contract with Nike basketball. The uber-athletic forward will look to make an impact right away for the Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte Hornets‘ rookie forward Miles Bridges, a 6-foot-6 wing out of Michigan State, just signed a four-year contract with Nike. (Shams Charania) Bridges was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 draft, before getting traded to the Charlotte Hornets for the 11th overall selection, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Miles Bridges is considered to be an impact player right away for the Charlotte Hornets, considering he was a two-year, standout player in college. He averaged 17.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his final year for the Spartans.

It’s not entirely surprising that Bridges got a contract with Nike. The owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Michael Jordan, owns the Jordan Brand, who is also a Nike affiliate. Further, the Bridges projects as a long-term, stable player for the Nike franchise. In other words, Miles Bridges’ floor as a player is higher than other “boom-or-bust” players in the 2018 NBA draft class.

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However, what could come as a surprise to some is the selection of Nike. We have seen some of the top draft picks actually sign with Puma, as they try to re-vamp their basketball brand. Some of these athletes include but are not limited to DeAndre Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., and Marvin Bagley III. The shoe company also made a deal with the WNBA recently, supplying shoes league-wide.

It might be hard for Bridges to find traction in the rotation at first, with players like Jeremy Lamb, Dwayne Bacon, Malik Monk, and Nicolas Batum all part of the wing rotation. However, as I pointed out in a recent article, Bridges isn’t your typical Hornets rookie, which may encourage more playing time for the former college standout.

Looking at other Hornets’ players, Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller, Dwayne Bacon, and Frank Kaminsky are Jordan Brand players while Tony Parker is signed to PEAK and Malik Monk is with Nike.

Next. Miles Bridges Isn't Your Typical Hornets' Rookie. dark

It will be interesting to see if Miles Bridges can perform up to expectations and get his Nike contract renewed after his allotted four years. Of course, most of the Buzz City faithful will hope that is the case.

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