Big Changes for the Hornets as They Trade Miles Bridges
The Charlotte Hornets have just made another significant move, trading away forward Miles Bridges shortly after shocking the NBA by letting franchise point guard LaMelo Ball go to the Timberwolves.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Bridges, along with veteran shooter Grayson Allen, was sent to the Suns. In return, the Hornets received Royce O’Neal, a first-round pick in 2029, a second-round pick in 2027, and an unprotected first-round pick in 2033.
This trade seems to signal the end of an era for the Hornets, who are parting ways with two players that have represented the franchise for the last six seasons—although opinions about their impact have varied.
Just days prior, Ball, along with Josh Green, had been traded to Minnesota in a surprising offseason move. Charlotte got Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, alongside three future first-round picks in 2028, 2029, and 2030, plus three second-round picks.
Now, Bridges will join Ball in the Western Conference.
It seems like the Hornets are aiming for a fresh start.
New faces like former Nets assistant general manager Jeff Peterson and head coach Charles Lee—a former assistant who won championships with the Celtics and Bucks—will be instrumental in shifting the team’s identity going forward.
The Hornets have built their team around the Ball-Bridges duo since drafting the latter third overall in 2020, but the playoffs have eluded them since 2016.
Still, this massive change isn’t without its controversy. After finishing the 2026 calendar year with the top net rating, a strong 28-10 record, and winning 44 games—their best performance since 2015-16—it seems puzzling to make such drastic changes.
This past April, they lost to the Magic in a play-in game, failing to reach the playoffs.
Bridges’ trade is particularly striking given the solid season he had and that he has one year remaining on his deal, totaling over $22.7 million.
He was one of Charlotte’s key scorers, contributing significantly as a rebounder and secondary playmaker, yet he was clearly behind Ball, Brandon Miller, and Con Knuppel in the pecking order.
Additionally, Bridges sat out the entire 2022-23 season following a domestic violence incident, leading to a 30-game suspension.
For the Suns, this acquisition signals a push to bolster their frontcourt with a versatile player who can score from multiple spots on the court and guard various positions.
This also gives the Suns increased salary cap flexibility as they embrace the final year on Bridges’ contract.
For Charlotte, however, it’s quite evident: a new chapter in Hornets basketball is beginning, quite different from last season.
Even without trading Ball, the decision to move on from Bridges confirms that the franchise is focused on building around a new core, mainly centered on Miller and Knuppel.
With Miller on a rookie contract for another season and Knuppel secured for three more years, it might not be long before the Hornets bring in a third star to round out this emerging duo.
