Charlotte Hornets: Bold predictions for a post-Kemba world

2. Miles Bridges ready for larger role

The Charlotte Hornets selected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. They traded that pick to the LA Clippers in exchange for the 12th overall pick and two future second-round picks.

With that 12th pick, the Hornets got Miles Bridges from Michigan State University. During his rookie campaign, he averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds per game on 46.4 percent shooting from the field. While the numbers may not scream star in the making, there are a few things worth mentioning.

When head coach James Borrego needed more production from his second unit, he relegated Jeremy Lamb to the bench and inserted Bridges into the starting lineup for the final 25 games of the season and utilized him at both of the forward positions.

In those 25 games, Bridges’ numbers improved across the board, as he posted averages of 9.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. His overall shooting numbers jumped up to 49.1 percent and he shot a respectable 35.1 percent from 3-point range.

https://twitter.com/hornets/status/1081687386755522562

And during the last five games of the 2018-19 campaign, Bridges averaged 12.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest on 52.2 percent shooting from the field. Again, with the departure of the team’s top two scorers, the Hornets will need someone to step up to help fill that void.

Based on the numbers, I’m willing to bet that not only will Bridges see a larger role next season, but that he will also became a permanent fixture in the starting rotation.