N.B.A. Suspends Miles Bridges for 30 Games for Domestic Violence

Bridges was a rising star before his arrest, which came on the eve of free agency. He was a restricted free agent projected to receive a maximum contract from Charlotte worth around $173 million. The Hornets had made a qualifying offer to Bridges the day before his arrest. If he has not signed it, and the team has not withdrawn it, he remains a restricted free agent. Charlotte did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his suspension or his contract status. Klutch, the agency that represents Bridges, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The N.B.A. is crediting Bridges for 20 games of his suspension because he did not play this season. Bridges attended a Hornets game against the Lakers in Los Angeles in December, which would not have been allowed if he had been suspended. In February, Bridges told The Associated Press during a Michigan State men’s basketball game that he might return to the N.B.A. in March.

The N.B.A.’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that a conviction is not required for a violation of the league’s domestic violence policy. It empowers Commissioner Adam Silver, based on the finding of the investigation, to “fine, suspend, or dismiss and disqualify” a player “from any further association with the N.B.A.” for violating the policy.

There were several notable suspensions in the N.B.A. this season.

In September, the Boston Celtics suspended Coach Ime Udoka for the season for violating team policy by having a relationship with a subordinate, according two people who were not authorized to discuss the punishment publicly. They then fired him in February, according to a person who was not authorized to comment publicly.

In November, the Nets suspended guard Kyrie Irving indefinitely after he shared an antisemitic film on Twitter and repeatedly refused to disavow antisemitism. He missed eight games. He was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks after negotiations over a contract extension broke down.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/14/sports/basketball/miles-bridges-suspended-domestic-violence-charlotte-hornets.html