NBA Rumors: Hornets Gauging Trade Interest In 4 Veterans

The intrigue around the Charlotte Hornets and restricted free agent Miles Bridges continues to grow. Will they or won't they give him the max contract he's looking for? 

As a lead-up to those negotiations, the Hornets are likely looking to unload some other salary to make room for the inevitable high cost of potentially keeping Bridges. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Charlotte is gauging trade interest in four veterans: Terry Rozier, P.J. Washington, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mason Plumlee.

Rozier signed a 4-year, $97M extension with the Hornets last summer—that would be the big-time money they could look to offload. Oubre Jr. has a year and $12M left on his pact; Washington makes $5M this year then becomes a restricted free agent; and Plumlee is on an expiring contract, at $8M this season. 

According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, there's another way the Hornets can free up some long-term cash:

"He (Russell Westbrook) does have an expiring contract and the Hornets could be dropping the bag for FA Miles Bridges plus LaMelo Ball's extension is around the corner"

- Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer pic.twitter.com/m2KpVaIMnF

— The Front Office (@NBASkoolOfThort) June 21, 2022

He says Charlotte has real interest in Russell Westbrook and his expiring $47M this coming season.  

The Hornets will likely need to pony up something in $100-$125M range on a 4-or-5-year deal to keep Bridges, according to The Athletic's John Hollinger.

It would behoove the team to find some room for that contract now, before the sticky negotiations take place.

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