The Charlotte Hornets' trade talks have hit a big snag before the NBA trade deadline.
The Charlotte Hornets have been playing some terrific basketball lately, but because they are just 20-28, they are expected to sell before the NBA trade deadline.
Miles Bridges is viewed as arguably the Hornets' top trade candidate between now and Feb. 5, and numerous teams around the league have expressed interest in the versatile forward.
However, Charlotte is running into some difficulty in trade discussions.
Not only is the Hornets' asking price for Bridges (potentially two first-round picks) very high, but they also don't want to take back certain players.
More specifically, Charlotte's talks with the Milwaukee Bucks have hit a snag due to the Hornets' unwillingness to receive Kyle Kuzma in a deal, via Sam Amick of The Athletic.
"The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are all known to be among the interested parties, though it remains to be seen if any team can compel the Hornets to give Bridges up," Amick wrote. "Charlotte’s lack of interest in the Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma is known to be an obstacle to a potential deal between those two teams."
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges. Credit: Matthew Smith-Imagn Images.Kuzma would be essential to any Bridges trade between Charlotte and Milwaukee because his contract would be a match in the deal, but you can't really blame the Hornets for not being all that interested in the 30-year-old.
It doesn't actually see like Charlotte is that interested in moving Bridges to begin with. If the Hornets really wanted to trade the 27-year-old, their demands would surely be considerably lower.
Bridges signed a three-year, $75 million extension with Charlotte during the summer of 2024 and has one more year left on his contract.
The former No. 12 overall pick is averaging 18.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists over 32.4 minutes per game on 45.1/34.0/83.3 shooting splits this season and owns lifetime averages of 16 points and 6.2 rebounds on 46.1/34.0/82.7 splits.
Bridges is a very solid microwave scorer who also possesses the ability to guard multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball, so he definitely would have value to a contending team.
However, the Michigan State product is also an integral piece for the Hornets, so they might only move him if they reap a king's ransom in return.
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