Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Miles Bridges could start immediately for Hornets

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Miles Bridges poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 12th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Miles Bridges poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 12th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Michigan State basketball star Miles Bridges has the talent, the work ethic and mindset to start right away for the Charlotte Hornets.

When the Los Angeles Clippers selected Miles Bridges at No. 12 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft on Thursday night, it looked like he’d be one of the key pieces to their turnaround. He was headed off to L.A. to try and bring the Clippers back to relevancy, but it wouldn’t be easy.

Must Read: 5 reasons Brian Lewerke’s will be Mark Dantonio’s best QB

Moments after his pick was announced, news broke the his draft rights were traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That made it seem as if Kemba Walker may be staying with the Hornets, after all, and Bridges landed in a spot where he could start instantly.

Glancing at the roster, there aren’t many big names on the Hornets, but there are some who could challenge Miles for starting time. He’ll likely be playing on the wing, but will move down to the four, if need be.

Dwayne Bacon, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams are the trio that will push Bridges, but Miles has the highest upside of the bunch, it seems.

Let’s start with Bacon. He was drafted in the second round (No. 40) of the 2017 NBA Draft and bounced from the G-League to the NBA multiple times in 2017-18. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds, shooting about 38 percent from the field.

Kidd-Gilchrist started all 74 games he appeared in for the Hornets in 2017-18. He averaged just 9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds and makes 50 percent of his shots. He does not, however, have much range, attempting less than 40 3-pointers throughout his NBA career.

Williams is a former No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft back in 2005 and has never really become that star that everyone expected him to be out of North Carolina. He has started every game he’s appeared in over the last three years, but is set to become a free agent next summer. He averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 2017-18.

Bridges would likely be an upgrade over any of these options.

The former Spartan can shoot the long-range shot at a near-40 percent clip and he has the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket — especially with better spacing in the NBA. He has plus athleticism and can defend multiple positions.

Next: MSU Football: Post-spring 2018 game-by-game predictions

Expect to see plenty of Bridges right away for the Hornets in 2018-19 and watch him potentially crack the starting rotation from day one.

Home/Spartans Basketball