Report: Miles Bridges on Cavaliers' radar
Jun. 30—The Cavaliers could be in the process of getting an upgrade at the small forward position.
According to multiple reports — including The Athletic and Cleveland.com — Cleveland is interested in signing Miles Bridges. The report said the deal in play is two years for $27 million.
If Bridges does sign with the Cavaliers, he will arrive in Cleveland with baggage.
Bridges is serving a 30-game suspension from the NBA stemming from a reported domestic violence incident between Bridges and the mother of his children. Wherever he next plays in the NBA, Bridges must serve 10 more games to complete the suspension, according to The Athletic.
In November 2022, Bridges pleaded no content to felony domestic violence. He was accused of assaulting his girlfriend in front of their children in June 2022. Bridges was not under contract during the 2022-23 season.
The Michigan State product played with the Charlotte Hornets during the first four seasons on his NBA career.
After averaging 7.5 points during his rookie season of 2018-19, Bridges — drafted with the No. 12 overall pick in 2018 — showed improvement the next two seasons as he averaged 13.0 points and 12.7 points, respectively. Then in 2021-22, he had a breakout season when he averaged 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
At 6-foot-7, 225 pounds with the ability to score in a variety of ways, make plays and rebound, Bridges is an ideal small forward for the Cavaliers but his suspension clouds things.
Before his legal troubles, the Hornets seemed likely to sign Bridges to a max deal worth more than $170 million. The domestic violence charge changed all of that. Last April, the NBA suspended Bridges 30 games — with 20 games credited because he did not play in 2022-23.
Bridges was arrested in Los Angeles on June 29, 2022. His girlfriend at the time, Mychelle Johnson, posted photos of what appeared to be bruises to her body but she did not mention Bridges.
When Bridges pleaded no contest to the felony domestic violence charge in November 2022, he was sentenced to probation, 100 hours of community serves and to attend counseling and parenting classes. It also included a 10-year restraining order for the alleged victim and weekly drug testing for Bridges.
Bridges' suspension isn't the only one within NBA circles. Last November, the Nets suspended Kyrie Irving after he shared an antisemitic film on social media and then did not disavow antisemitism.
Then Ja Morant was handed two suspensions — one by his team the Grizzlies and later by the NBA for 30 games starting next seasons — after he brandished a gun on social media.
The big question — if Bridges to Cleveland plays out — is if his singing is worth the risk. With Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland forming an elite backcourt, the bigs in the paint (Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen) give the Cavaliers size up front.
A missing piece has been at small forward. Bridges just might be that missing piece.
Niang agrees
Fomer 76ers forward Georges Niang agreed to a three-year, $26 million deal, the Associated Press reported. Niang was a teammate Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell when both were with the Jazz.
LeVert deal
Shortly after free agent talks were allowed to begin, the Cavaliers and Caris LeVert agreed to a two-year deal, the Associated Press reported. LeVert, 28, averaged 12.1 points, 3.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds last season.
Strus added
NBA TV reported former Heat sharp-shooter Max Strus has agreed to a four-year deal worth $46 million.
