The Clippers He is interested in signing an unrestricted free agent forward Mile Bridgesaccording to people with knowledge of the situation who are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
It would likely take a sign-and-trade deal in which the Clippers send a draft pick to Charlotte for Bridges, who averaged 21 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field last season for the Hornets. Names that have surfaced for a potential deal include Norman Powellwho earns $19.2 million, and Terance Mann, who earns $11.5 million.
Acquiring the 6-foot-7 Bridges would be an upgrade for the Clippers after they lost the All-Star forward. Paul George to Philadelphia on a four-year, $212 million contract.
Bridges, 26, has had to overcome many problems in the past.
He sat out the entire 2022-23 season as a result of an alleged domestic violence case beginning in June 2022. Bridges was accused of assaulting the mother of his children in front of them in Los Angeles.
Bridges also faced three charges for an alleged violation of a domestic violence protection order on Oct. 6, 2023, misdemeanor child abuse and injury to personal property, but the charges were dropped due to “insufficient evidence.”
Read more: Clippers hope to remain competitive with roster after losing Paul George
People close to Bridges said that after seeing how willing Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been to give players second chances, the team would be a great fit for him and that Bridges has learned from his mistakes.
The person talked about how the Clippers just agreed to a two-year contract with point guard Kevin Porter Jr., who was arrested on Sept. 11 for allegedly assaulting a female teammate at a New York City hotel.
The Houston Rockets banned Porter from participating in team-related activities. The Rockets traded Porter to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who waived him. Porter spent last season in Greece.
Additionally, the person said Bridges respects Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and would love to play for him.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
