The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly remain interested in Hornets forward Miles Bridges, one possible answer to their playmaking needs at the wing. The cost, however, would be high. The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required) reports that Charlotte is seeking one or more first-round picks in any Bridges deal. Milwaukee's response should be an immediate click on the other end of the line.
Hornets want a haul. Bridges isn't close to worth it
The Bucks only have one first-rounder to work with at this juncture. In practice, that means their 2031 pick to maximize the tradeable assets they'll have this summer. Given its projected value, the Hornets would surely be all too glad to scoop up the selection in lieu of multiple, lesser first-rounders.
For the Bucks, that prospect of including that pick in a Bridges trade should elicit a flat no. It's not even clear that the seventh-year forward is a winning player. His box-score stats don't necessarily reveal the truth. On the season, Bridges is averaging 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 44.3 percent shooting. Aside from an outlier year in 2020-21, he's never been efficient from distance. His 33.2 percent clip from beyond the arc matches his career performance.
Bridges isn't efficient, but those are fine stats as far as volume goes. Problematically, though, he is a poor defender, notching a plus on-off rating just once in his career. He doesn't rack up blocks or steals. Worse, it's not clear he's an asset on offense. Thus far this season, he's costing the Hornets 1.7 points per 100 possessions on that end of the floor. That's bad news given his defensive flaws.
It all adds up to a negative-10.1 on-off rating that ranks in the eighth percentile in the league. By that measure, Bridges has graded out as a net positive three times in his seven seasons. That's not really the type of player teams are eager to shell out first-round picks for.
Bridges' efficiency from the field is down appreciably from where it was before his hiatus. It's dipped further over the past two seasons. Also somewhat concerning is Bridges' more recent lack of production. Over his last four games he's averaging 9.3 points. Nothing points to the sell-high conditions Charlotte is pushing.
In the end, it's probably a good thing that there are serious barriers to pulling off a Bridges deal. Amick reports that the Hornets aren't interested in Kyle Kuzma, the Bucks' default outgoing salary and positional match for Bridges. That swap might not benefit them, anyway. Kuzma is the far superior defender and, by true shooting percentage, is having a better season on the other end as well.
Bridges for Kuzma and a 2031 first-round pick, with or without protections? Yuck. The Bucks can only pass on this one and explore other moves.