Miles Bridges – Charlotte Hornets

Restricted Free Agent – 2021-22 Salary: $5.4 million

The 2022 free agency market is going to be dominated by restricted free agents and one of the notable names available will be Miles Bridges. 

After working his way into a “sixth-man” role with the Hornets last season, Miles Bridges has exploded onto the scene this year as one of the league’s most improved talents. 

Through 62 games, Bridges is averaging career-highs in points (19.9), rebounds (7.2), assists (3.6), steals (1.0) and both field goals made (7.4) and attempted (15.3) per game. 

Miles Bridges has been having a sensational year with the Charlotte Hornets and after the Hornets declined to offer him a rookie contract extension in the offseason, they will now need to open their checkbooks if they are to keep Bridges long-term. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Sorting Through Latest NBA Rumors: Westbrook, LeBron, Harris, More

After not expecting to see more than $10 million on a new contract last offseason, Bridges could see offers upwards of $20 million per year in free agency this upcoming offseason, making him a very intriguing restricted free agent. 

Charlotte has never been a team to want to exceed the tax line, which could raise some question marks about their willingness to extend Miles Bridges long-term. It is expected that the Hornets will keep Miles Bridges and sign him to a new contract, but this could have a domino effect for the franchise and force them to part ways with veteran forward Gordon Hayward.