The Hornets could generate up to $28.4 million in cap space this off-season. However, this path seems unlikely as it would require them to give up their free agent rights miles Bridges And PJ Washington. Unless they can get a positive return for either player in signing and trading, the Hornets are better off working to the limit and re-signing their best free agents than losing them for nothing.
Bridges’ legal status was settled and he was formally disciplined by the league with a 30-game suspension. The Hornets still retain the rights to him and could make him a restricted free agent if they make him a qualifying offer of $7.7 million. He was probably looking for a lucrative contract in the $30 million annual range last summer. His next deal may be severely affected by his actions and his absence from court for a year. Not only might his annual salary range be much lower, but his total years and warranties might also go down.
If the Hornets re-sign Bridges and Washington and extend the ball to long-term deals, it is unlikely that they will have cap space in future seasons. They could have plenty of leeway this summer while retaining top free agents if they’re able to get their expiring $31.5 million salary. Gordon Hayward. For example unloading Hayward plus unsecured payroll waiver Cuban Simmons And GT bull That could give them about $27 million in space.
The imminent sale of the Hornets could change the direction the organization takes. The prospect of eliminating a team by re-signing or extending the membership of its best players could be an issue if they choose to take a step back and retool the roster. Even if they moved from Bridges and Washington, Ball’s lucrative stretch would still eat up a large chunk of their future cap.