DETROIT _ Miles Bridges is going to raise tough roster-management questions for the Charlotte Hornets:
Should he continue to play primarily small forward, or must he be a power forward to realize his NBA potential?
Is he so similar in body type and skill set to rookie P.J. Washington that starting them together isn't a long-term plan?
Bridges is back in his home state of Michigan for Monday's road game against the Detroit Pistons. The former Michigan State star's recent stretch is the best Bridges has played in 1 { NBA seasons: He has averaged 19.8 points in his last five games (on 47% shooting) entering Monday night at the Pistons. That's a significant jump from his season scoring average of 11.9.
Most of the starts Bridges, 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, has made in the NBA have come at small forward. In July, Hornets coach James Borrego said his plan was to move Bridges to power forward, where he would likely start in his second season.
But when rookie Washington (6-foot-7 and 230 pounds) played better than expected in the preseason, he was named the starter at power forward, moving Bridges back to small forward.
Bridges isn't complaining; he says he can play either spot. However, he agrees with Borrego that there are clear advantages to him being a power forward in a league where teams often go small toward players of his body type at the 4 position.
An advantage Bridges has playing the 4, he says, is that he's quicker than most power forwards. That isn't necessarily the case against small forwards.
"On the perimeter, I just drive right past (power forwards) sometimes," Bridges described of the difference in positions. "It's harder on defense to guard a power forward for me. (But) I like playing the 4."
It's also a difference in what a power forward does, versus what a small forward does, in a typical NBA offense.
"As a 3, I'm hanging out in the corner a lot," Bridges said. "At the 4, I'm in all the plays, rebounding. Being able to dunk or rebound" close to the basket.
Washington, drafted 12th overall out of Kentucky in June, also is best suited in the NBA to play power forward. He has started from his NBA debut, and has been among rookie leaders in almost every statistical measure. Washington, Bridges and Hornets point guard Devonte Graham were all chosen to play in the Rising Stars game at All-Star weekend.
Washington can play occasionally at center _ he did so last week in Houston _ but it's a reach to think that would be his future in Charlotte. Bridges has played more power forward recently due to Washington missing two games with an ankle sprain.
For now, playing Bridges and Washington together at forward works in the early stages of a rebuild. But when their affordable rookie-scale contracts expire _ two seasons away for Bridges and three seasons for Washington _ the Hornets will have to make expensive decisions on who to retain.
This eventually could come down to choosing between them _ one as a long-term starter at power forward and the other a trade commodity.
With veterans Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist leaving the Hornets via buyout, there are fewer options at power forward. Borrego says he'll look for ways to find Bridges more minutes at the 4 when viable the rest of the season.
"I could see P.J. at some 5 and Miles at some 4. That's definitely something our group needs to look at as we move forward," Borrego said. "The league is moving in that (small-ball) direction. Not everybody, but throughout most games there will be some small-ball opportunity."
