Report: Hornets want teams’ best young players and 1st-rounder for Miles Bridges

The Charlotte Hornets reportedly have a high asking price for Miles Bridges heading toward the NBA trade deadline.

“Rich Paul, who is his agent, is going to control the process,” podcast host Vincent Goodwill said. “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?”

The Phoenix Suns reportedly were linked to Bridges late last month. With the trade deadline on Thursday, it is unknown if the Suns will make a move for him.

The 25-year-old completed an NBA suspension earlier this season and has faced repercussions for a domestic violence incident involving his former girlfriend. He did not play in the 2022-23 season after he pleaded no contest to felony domestic violence charges.

This season, he is averaging 21.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in 38 appearances for the Hornets. He has a no-trade clause and is set to become a free agent this coming offseason.

Charlotte has a 10-39 record this season and sits in 13th place in the Eastern Conference. This summer, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the team to another ownership group. The Hornets also used the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to select Brandon Miller, one choice after Victor Wembanyama was drafted No. 1 overall by the San Antonio Spurs.

The Suns entered the season considered strong contenders for the NBA championship after adding Bradley Beal to a core of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. After falling back under .500 with a loss on Christmas Day, Phoenix has won 15 of its past 21 games and is in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 29-21 record.

In addition to Bridges, Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks is another popular name in the rumor mill with the deadline now just days away. However, the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz are the only teams that reportedly have made real offers for him.

Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell has reportedly been mentioned in trade talks with three Eastern Conference teams. Other players to watch reportedly could include Chris Paul of the Golden State Warriors, P.J. Tucker of the Los Angeles Clippers and Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets.

It is always a busy time of year around the NBA trade deadline, and the next couple of days should prove to be no exception in that regard.