Charlotte Hornets extend qualifying offers to trio of players

The Charlotte Hornets have made qualifying offers to P.J. Washington, Miles Bridges and Theo Maledon, the team announced (via Twitter). All three players will be restricted when free agency begins on Friday.

Washington will be a highly sought-after target on the free agent market and extending him the QO gives Charlotte the opportunity to match any offer he receives. The 24-year-old power forward is coming off his best NBA season after averaging 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 73 games during the 2022-23 campaign. His qualifying offer will be $8,486,620.

Charlotte is reportedly interested in bringing back Bridges, who sat out sat out all of last season after pleading no contest to felony domestic violence. Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak declined to comment on Bridges at a post-draft press conference, but rival front offices believe he will re-sign with the Hornets. Bridges’ qualifying offer appears to be $7,744,600, although the unusual circumstances surrounding his playing status make it harder to pinpoint.

For his part, Maledon appeared in 44 games for Charlotte after signing a two-way contract shortly before the start of this past season. As a two-way player, his QO is a minimal $1,801,491.