Forward Miles Bridges has signed his $7.9 million qualifying offer with the Charlotte Hornets this summer and return to the league, his agent Rich Paul confirmed on Sunday. The one-year deal will make Bridges an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Bridges was a restricted free agent last summer and was in line to sign a five-year, $170 million extension. However, he went unsigned after he was arrested on domestic violence charges and pled no contest to one felony. He was sentenced to three years of probation and suspended for 30 games by the league -- the longest suspension for domestic violence in NBA history. While he did not play last season, the league credited him with 20 games of time served and as a result he will only miss the first 10 games of next season.
"The NBA conducted its own investigation into this matter, reviewing all available materials and interviewing numerous third-party witnesses, as well as the parties involved," the league stated in a press release in April. "The NBA also consulted with a group of domestic violence experts who provide the league with guidance in such cases. The 30-game suspension is based on all facts and circumstances of this matter and considers the conduct and its result, as well as the outcome of the criminal matter, among other factors."
During the 2021-22 season, Bridges averaged 20.2 points, seven rebounds and 3.8 assists per game -- all career highs -- while shooting 49.1% from the field. He earned Most Improved Player votes and helped the Hornets finish 43-39, which was their best record since 2016. They were eliminated in the first round of the Play-In Tournament, however, and did not make the playoffs.
Bridges will return to a Hornets team that recently signed LaMelo Ball to a rookie max extension worth $260 million and selected Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick.