Everybody loves a discount. NBA teams are no exception. With the trade deadline approaching, look for some teams to go hunting for discounts.
After all, some impact players will be available at a lower price than their play suggests they ought to be. Several factors can negatively impact a player’s value. Perhaps they’re on an expiring deal or injury-prone. Sometimes, off-court issues can hurt a player’s value as well.
Take Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets. Some ugly off-court drama is likely to impact his value negatively. If a team is looking for a discount, they may target him on the trade market.
Could the Los Angeles Lakers make a move for him?
NBA Trade Idea
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Gabe Vincent, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2030 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Miles Bridges, G Ish Smith
Everyone loves getting a discount. Nobody loves giving a discount. Sometimes, the market forces your hand. You end up having to take a value loss rather than receiving nothing at all.
With all of that in mind, it feels crass to discuss this deal in those terms. Let’s call a spade a spade. Bridges was charged with domestic assault last summer. That’s a major part of why his value is low.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Should the Hornets even benefit from trading him? Should Bridges even be in the NBA? Well, he is in the NBA. As long as that’s true, the Hornets will treat him like any other player on their roster.
Does that mean they should move him?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
The Hornets are one of the worst teams in the NBA. Bridges is 25. That’s an awkward age in the NBA. A future-focused team like the Hornets could justify keeping Bridges, but at the same time, they could justify moving on from him.
Let’s look at their roster. Brandon Miller is 21. P.J. Washington is 25 himself, but he has no history of off-court trouble. The Hornets may feel that they’ve got their wing rotation set without Bridges. In that event, they could justify moving him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In theory, he could be worth more than this. In practice, he’s a troubled personality on an expiring contract. The Hornets should be happy to land four second-round picks for Bridges.
Should the Lakers give up that much draft capital for him?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Let’s put Bridges’ off-court issues aside. He’s a good basketball player. Bridges is a remarkable athlete. His combination of size, speed, and vertical leaping ability make him a lethal threat in transition.
In other words, he should thrive alongside a playmaker like James. This deal should make the Lakers a much more dynamic team. Just as importantly, they’re adding a significant offensive talent at a low price. It’s also worth noting that the Lakers may very well find room for Ish Smith in their rotation.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Is Bridges a flight risk? Sure. A contending team like the Lakers shouldn’t balk at renting a player at the cost of four second-round picks. For a player as talented as Bridges – as troubled as he may be – that’s a discount.
