Hornets' Bridges signs qualifying offer, becomes UFA in 2024

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges signed his $7.9-million qualifying offer for the 2023-24 season, his agent told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Hornets and Bridges remained far apart in extension talks, sources told Wojnarowski. The 25-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent in 2024 and can veto any trade during the upcoming season, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Bridges missed the entire 2022-23 campaign as he remained unsigned. The NBA suspended him in April for 30 games after police arrested him last year for a domestic violence incident.

Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge in November, agreeing to do so in exchange for three years probation and no jail time. Two other counts against him were dismissed.

The NBA deemed that Bridges served 20 games of his suspension while he was unsigned. He'll miss the first 10 contests of next season with the Hornets due to the discipline.

Bridges averaged career highs of 20.2 points, seven rebounds, and 3.8 assists during the 2021-22 campaign with Charlotte.

The Hornets acquired Bridges on draft night in 2018 after the Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the No. 12 pick.