Steve Clifford declines comment on reported progress of Hornets-Bridges deal
.JPG "Former NBA players Miles Bridges, right, and Scottie Pippen, second from left, watch the second half of a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)")
Steve Clifford isn’t sure what’s going on with the Charlotte Hornets and Miles Bridges.
The coach insisted he has no insight into a potential timeline for the team to reach an agreement with the restricted free agent. ESPN reported Friday that contract discussions between the two parties were heating up and there’s optimism a deal can be reached in the near future.
“Yeah, we are not going to comment on that,” Clifford said before the Hornets’ 134-130 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night.
Last month, Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge, agreeing to a three-year probation period with no jail time, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
As part of the deal, he will have to attend 52 weeks of parenting classes and domestic violence counseling, and also is required to complete 100 hours of community service. He’s forbidden from owning any dangerous weapons and must undergo weekly narcotics tests, according to the DA’s office.
Bridges got an opportunity to watch the Hornets live in person for the first time all season. He attended Charlotte’s game against the Lakers and sat courtside near the Hornets’ bench, enjoying an embrace with Terry Rozier once the final buzzer sounded.
“That’s my brother,” Rozier said. “So it’s just good to see him support.”
This story was originally published December 23, 2022 at 9:37 PM.
