Underpaid: Miles Bridges $7.9 million
Miles Bridges is a very talented player who was able to showcase his talents during the 2021-22 season. Bridges saw his playing time ascend to 35.5 minutes per game, the most in his career. This led to career-highs in points (20.2), rebounds (7.0), assists (3.8), and three-point field goals made per game (1.9).
Bridges did not play a single game last season due to domestic violence charges. The 25-year-old eventually pleaded no contest to the felony domestic charge and received three years of probation. Additionally, the NBA handed down a 30-game suspension for which 20 are being considered served after not participating last season. Contract extension talks fell apart between the two sides last season with this series of events taking place, resulting in Bridges signing the qualifying offer from the Hornets.
Considering the very recent history of Bridges, it is not exactly a surprise to see him back in Charlotte on a salary of just under $8 million. While he has shown on the court that he is the caliber of player who should be making significantly more than that, it is the off-the-court issues that make any team, not just the Hornets, hesitant to compensate him in that manner. Additionally, the public relations nightmare that would come with signing Bridges to a large contract may not be something that many teams are willing to take on.