Lakers Keeping Tabs With Hornets' Forward, May Pursue If Legal Troubles Settled

The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed back some players such as Dennis Schroder, Kendrick Nunn and Thomas Bryant, something that helped them win over the Detroit Pistons, 128-121, on Friday, November 18.

However, it was Anthony Davis who led the charge in a game that LeBron James did not play. But the fact remains, Los Angeles still needs more players if they are to save their 2022-23 NBA campaign.

One name that has been linked to the purple and gold is reportedly Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets. The 24-year-old forward continues to deal with legal troubles tied to domestic violence charges. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Hornets restricted free agent.

The Hornets may be waiting on what further sanctions the 6-foot-7 cager would be facing. He could be meted a suspension, one that would further delay his return to NBA action.

Regardless, the Lakers and Detroit Pistons are reportedly monitoring the situation of the 12th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft according to Shams Charania.

The scribe pointed out on Bally Sports “The Rally” that the Lakers and Pistons are on standby in the event Bridges opts not to re-sign with the Hornets.

But the thing to consider here is that Bridges is a restricted free agent. Hence, an NBA trade may be the only recourse for the Lakers if they push their pursuit. And the only player that could be included is no less than Russell Westbrook, someone who has thrived in his new role under new head coach Darvin Ham.

However, it would make no sense to pull off a trade for someone who cannot immediately suit up. Bridges will already be on a three-year probation per ESPN and the NBA is still investigating the issue to determine what sanctions to hand the Michigan native.

Hence, the waiting game that the Lakers and the Pistons are playing may end up in futility. That is unless Charlotte opts to move forward with their current cast sans the promising cager.

As of this writing, the Hornets hold a 4-13 win-loss record in the Eastern Conference, hardly better than what the Lakers (4-10) and the Pistons (3-14) tote.