It wasn’t long ago that the Los Angeles Lakers completed their blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic. Now, they are reportedly looking to make a move on Miles Bridges, with some animosity in the air.

It comes after Bridges scored an impressive 29 points against them, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 100-97 win and doing so with visible motivation.

At the time, Charlotte was still bristling over a botched transaction that had left scars on the relationship between the two front offices.

Now, as the trade deadline approaches, that history has resurfaced, with Bridges reportedly back on the Lakers‘ radar.

Bridges recently climbed to third place on the Hornets‘ all-time scoring list, a milestone that immediately reignited speculation about his availability. From a pure basketball standpoint, the fit is debatable.

The Lakers already boast elite offensive firepower, particularly if Doncic regains consistent perimeter support from Austin Reaves.

Bridges is not known as a defensive stopper either. Yet, according to league observers, fit is not the real obstacle.

A bitter past threatens potential dealings

Rob Pelinka has never been shy about exploring upgrades, but this potential pursuit carries baggage.

During a recent discussion, Jovan Buha and Trevor Lane examined the possibility of Bridges landing in Los Angeles.

“I said, ‘Will the Hornets deal with the Lakers after what happened last year?’ I tend to think yes, but are they giving the Lakers a great deal?” Lane said.

That question cuts to the heart of the matter. The Lakers and Hornets have technically moved on, but the memory of the rescinded Mark Williams trade still lingers.

Front offices do not forget public embarrassment easily, and Lane suggested that any negotiation would be far from friendly.

“Is there animosity still towards the league? Oh, I’m sure. Is there animosity still towards the Lakers because of…I’m talking about the rescinded Mark Williams trade,” he added.

“But could the Lakers do something for Miles? Look, if a team has the right deal sitting in front of them, they’re going to do the deal.”

The Hornets are not obligated to help the Lakers, particularly if a comparable or better offer emerges elsewhere.

Reports have linked the Golden State Warriors to Bridges, fueling speculation that Charlotte could leverage rival interest – or even redirect a deal simply to avoid strengthening Los Angeles.

A long term replacement for LeBron?

From the Lakers‘ perspective, the appeal is obvious. LeBron James remains elite, but depth and consistent bench scoring have been persistent issues and at 41 isn’t getting any younger.

Lane laid out the reasoning clearly when asked why Los Angeles would still pursue Bridges despite the complications.

“I think he fits, maybe not in a defensive sense, but he fits certainly with his three-point shooting ability, his ability to score the basketball, that he he would immediately solve some of your bench scoring problems, and he is a wing,” he said.

That profile explains why the conversation refuses to die. Bridges brings scoring punch, size, and versatility – traits every contender covets.

The cost, however, may extend beyond draft picks or players. If Pelinka pushes too hard, the Lakers risk overpaying and compromising the very perimeter support Doncic and James need for a deep postseason run.