Fischer’s Latest: Bridges, Washington, Pelicans, Dosunmu, More

Before signing his qualifying offer of $7.9 million, mile bridges was targeting about $25 million per year in discussions with the company hornets, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. However, Charlotte wasn’t ready to get anywhere near that number, so Bridges’ reps were quick to settle on an unfettered free hand in 2024.

Bridges was not eligible to be included in a sign-and-trade as he was not in the team’s roster last season having missed the entire 2022-23 season after being accused of domestic violence became. He agreed to a plea deal and was subsequently suspended by the NBA, which will require him to sit out the first 10 games of 23-24.

Prior to this incident, Bridges was considered one of the best free agents in the 2022 class, averaging 20.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 3.8 APG on a 49.1% shot rate in 80 games (35.5 MPG) in 2021/22. According to Fischer, an offer sheet last year talked about him being paid $30 million annually, with the Pacers, Pistons and Grizzlies all being linked to the 25-year-old forward.

Here’s more from Fischer’s latest story for Yahoo Sports:

• hornets restricted free agent forward PJ Washington He may have to wait a while to find the type of contract he is looking for and may have to come about via sign and trade. Marc Stein initially reported that the former first-round pick is aiming for about $18 million annually. According to Fischer, Washington is targeting $80 million over four years. Fischer writes that several agents apparently point this out Keldon JohnsonThe extension of the rookie scale with the Spurs serves as a kind of benchmark in the negotiations.
• The pelicans Keep watching the reserve guard trading market Kira Lewis jr and launch center Jonas Valanciunas, sources tell Fischer. Lewis is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could become a restricted free agent next summer while Valanciunas’ $15.4 million contract expires.
• Fischer hears the recent conversations between the hawks And raptors haven’t been very productive when it comes to potential Pascal Siakam act. Separately, Fischer also reports that there is optimism within the Atlanta organization that the team can grow Dejounte Murray.
• The raptors have expressed interest cops guard Ayo Dosunmu, says Fisher. However, it’s unclear if they will attempt to work out a sign-and-trade or make an offer to the restricted free agent.
• Like other reporters, Fischer has heard that there is a mutual interest in a reunion sixers and restricted free agent, big man Paul Reed.