The Clippers are interested in signing Miles Bridges, according to people familiar with the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly.
It would likely require a sign-and-trade deal in which the Clippers send a draft pick to Charlotte for Bridges, who averaged 21 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field for the Hornets last season. Players who have been discussed for a possible deal include sixth man Norman Powell, who makes $19.2 million, and swingman Terance Mann, who makes $11.5 million.
Acquiring the 6-foot-7 Bridges would be a big move for the Clippers after they lost All-Star forward Paul George to Philadelphia on a four-year, $212 million contract. However, Bridges, 26, has had his share of legal troubles. He sat out the entire 2022-23 season after being accused of assaulting the mother of his children in front of them in Los Angeles, and also faced three felony charges for an alleged violation of a domestic violence protective order on Oct. 6, misdemeanor child abuse and injury to personal property, but the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Read more: Clippers hope to stay competitive with roster after losing Paul George
People close to Bridges said the team would be a good fit for him after seeing Clippers owner Steve Ballmer’s willingness to give players second chances and Bridges’ learning from his mistakes. One pointed out that the Clippers just agreed to a two-year contract with guard Kevin Porter Jr., who was arrested on Sept. 11 for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in a New York City hotel. The Houston Rockets suspended Porter from team activities and traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who released him. Porter spent last season in Greece, and now the former USC star is back in the NBA and still only 24.
The person also said Bridges has respect for Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and would like to play for him.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
