NBA Rumors: Hornets Breakout Star To Demand Max $173M Extension

After watching his brother Mikal Bridges sign a 4-year, $90M extension last offseason, Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges rejected a 4-year, $60M offer, and bet on himself. 

Turns out, he made the right choice, as he's had a breakthrough season as the team's 2nd star next to LaMelo Ball. This summer, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Bridges will be looking for the max extension of 5-years, $173M. He'll be a restricted free agent, and teams are expected to come a-calling.

"League personnel believe the Hornets will match any offer sheet for Bridges," writes Fischer. "That could either dissuade teams from making an earnest attempt at signing him, unnecessarily tying their hands for 48 hours. Or it may encourage a rival suitor to force Charlotte to pay his full max."

Bridges increased his scoring by nearly 8 points a game, to 20.2 this season, while also averaging career-high rebounds (7.0) and assists (3.8). 

With the Hornets' pay scale about to balloon exponentially, they'll be looking to try to dump some long-term salary, adds Fischer; contracts such as Gordon Hayward and Kelly Oubre. 

Indeed, Charlotte has been mentioned as a possible suitor to take on Russell Westbrook's expiring $47M contract, in order to unload some longer-term deals. 

Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports