The NBA suspended Bridges on Friday for 30 games, with 20 games considered already served, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Bridges, who's currently a free agent after sitting out the entire 2022-23 season, will be suspended for the first 10 games of the 2023-24 campaign due to a felony domestic violence charge he pleaded no contest to in November of last year. The 2018 first-round pick reportedly discussed a new contract with the Hornets in December, but he never inked a deal. His recent legal troubles may limit his overall attention in free agency this offseason, but he posted career-high numbers in 2021-22, averaging 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Bridges and the Hornets are "gathering traction" in discussions for a new contract, with optimism that an agreement could occur in the relatively near future, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
In November, Bridges pleaded no contest in Los Angeles Superior Court to a felony domestic violence charge, resulting in three years probation and no jail time. If the forward indeed re-ups with Charlotte, the expectation is that the league office will hand him a suspension for a yet-to-be-determined length of time. If no deal occurs, he'll remain a restricted free agent next offseason. The 8-24 Hornets are clearly missing Bridges' production. He's coming off the best season of his career in 2021-22, averaging 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
