Miles Bridges is arguably the Charlotte Hornets' most intriguing piece in this year's trade deadline. Only time will tell if the front office decides to move him. But if it does, it must avoid the mistake of not giving him a heads-up.
The Hornets veteran understands the nature of the business. His name has been brought up in trade talks around the NBA for years now, although some probably expected things to be different this time. He has shown improvement in his game after establishing his ideal role on the team and is part of one of the league's best five-man lineups.
After Charlotte's much-needed win on Saturday against the Washington Wizards, Bridges was asked about the trade chatter, and he responded by reiterating his desire to stay and focusing only on what he can control.
He may have also sent a message to the organization, stating, "But I know if I do get traded, I know Jeff Peterson and those guys, they’ll talk to me first. So, I don’t try to worry about that. I just worry about the games."
Appreciating Miles Bridges
To say that Bridges's Hornets tenure has been a wild rollercoaster would be an understatement. He has drawn the ire of many fans for his off-court issues and reputation as an "empty calories" guy. Earlier in this campaign, his continuous lapses on defense and tendency to play hero ball intensified the calls for him to be traded.
But now, the 27-year-old forward has flourished in his role as a complementary player to the Hornets' core group of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel. When his teammates have cold shooting nights, he has been there to pick up the slack. He has also provided value as a solid rebounder and secondary playmaker. More importantly, the players love being around him, and the coaching staff has sung nothing but praises for him.
Does that ensure Bridges remain in Charlotte beyond the trade deadline? Not exactly. Peterson can still opt to use him and his suddenly surging value if obvious upgrades are available or to prop up even more their collection of draft assets. If that's the route the Hornets take, hopefully, they have taken note of his expectations to get a call from the top brass and not learn about it from the media or any other external parties.
Of course, the Hornets would not be obliged to inform Bridges in that situation. But that's the least they can do for their longest-tenured player, who has always tried to hold down the fort when Ball and Miller are sidelined. Moreover, it could damage the franchise's image if it cannot extend to Miles the courtesy that some people believe he deserves.