Lakers named landing spot for $75 million Hornets high-flying forward after LaMelo Ball trade

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The Charlotte Hornets are fresh off one of their most successful seasons in years.

While the Hornets were bottom feeders for most of the LaMelo Baller era, they forced opponents to take them seriously this past season. Charlotte finished with a winning record for the first team since 2021-22 and was one win away from breaking a 10-year playoff drought (they lost to the Orlando Magic in a win-or-go-home East Play-In contest).

However, that didn’t stop the Hornets from shocking the NBA world on Thursday by trading Ball, a 2022 All-Star, a consistent 20.0+ point and 6.0+assist contributor, and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, and 2030), and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033).

Per NBA reporter Evan Sidery’s latest intel regarding the Hornets, Charlotte could look to trade Ball’s 6-foot-7 high-flying teammate, Miles Bridges, next. Sidery named the Lakers as a potential landing spot for the former first-round pick.

“The Lakers and (Phoenix) Suns are among the teams to express trade interest in Miles Bridges,” Sidery wrote on X/Twitter Friday.

“Bridges is extension-eligible this summer, but the Hornets have shown no interest in another long-term agreement. "After trading LaMelo Ball, Bridges appears next up for their roster retool.”

Although Bridges’ contributions as an explosive, slash-first wing who’s a nightmare to defend in the open court have largely gone unnoticed due to the Hornets’ well-documented struggles, he’s undoubtedly been a high-impact asset to begin his NBA career.

The Michigan product averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists with the Hornets last season. Granted, Bridges' questionable perimeter shooting may not make the best fit alongside a willing drive-and-kick offensive threat in Luka Doncic.

Still, he’s a target to monitor closely as Los Angeles attempts to add more wing depth.

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