Charlotte Hornets extend qualifying offers, including Miles Bridges. What does it mean?

Miles Bridges’ path to return to the Charlotte Hornets just got a little clearer.

The Hornets extended qualifying offers to Bridges, PJ Washington and Théo Maledon on Wednesday, the team announced, ensuring all three are restricted free agents once the NBA’s new league year begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Charlotte can now match any deal Bridges, Washington or Maledon receives on the open market.

The move paves the way for Bridges to come back to the team exactly a calendar year after his initial opportunity at free agency was derailed following his arrest in Los Angeles for felony domestic violence on June 30.

In November, Bridges pleaded no contest to felony domestic violence and wound up sitting out the entire 2022-23 season. He’s been completing his required community service and working out during the past seven-plus months, per league sources, preparing for an eventual reappearance.

As the Observer has previously reported, a reunion between Bridges and the Hornets was inevitable — it’s just a matter of when, not if. The Hornets, per league sources, did their own investigation into the situation surrounding Bridges, but had to wait until the NBA concluded its own examination of the case.

In April, the league ruled it was handing down a 30-game suspension to Bridges, but given he wasn’t under contract, it was determined Bridges has to serve only 10 games in 2023-24 before he’s eligible to play.

Bridges turned down a four-year, $60 million deal just prior to the start of the 2021-22 campaign because he was seeking a more lucrative payday, which was on the horizon last June thanks to his solid season in his fourth year as a pro. Before his arrest, Bridges could’ve commanded an average salary of more than $20 million per season — numbers he won’t come close now as he negotiates his worth.

And exactly how Bridges fits into coach Steve Clifford’s rotation will be among the many questions that must be answered. Bridges served as starting power forward in 2021-22, a position occupied this past season by Washington, and he would join a crowded crop of wings that includes Brandon Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in last Thursday’s draft, as well as Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin and Bryce McGowens.

So, the Hornets are going to have some roster maneuvering to do once free agency begins on Friday. That’s when teams can begin negotiating with players at 6 p.m., although any moves won’t become official until noon July 6.

Washington’s qualifying offer is $8.48 million and Maledon’s stands at $1.8 million. Washington is seeking a big payday and, per league sources, could have a few suitors once free agency tips off.