Phoenix Suns: NBA Superstar Calls Mikal Bridges Favorite Small Forward

The Phoenix Suns knew they had a good one in Mikal Bridges a few weeks ago when they chose to offer him a lucrative contract extension. But now, everybody seems to know, including Portland Trail Blazers stud point guard Damian Lillard.

In speaking with Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, Lillard spoke on his thought process over this past summer, as he mulled over potentially leaving his beloved Blazers.

But when discussing the way in which teams build championship rosters, he referenced the Suns and their ability to win without being a “super team.” Showing praise for almost every Phoenix rotation player, and especially Bridges, Lillard spoke quite kindly.

“If you look at Phoenix, they don’t have a bunch of stars,” said Lillard. “They got people who are really good at what they do and understand their roles. Chris Paul and Devin Booker are All-Stars, but Deandre Ayton is a quality center, Jae Crowder is an experienced, quality stretch-four man that’s tough, Cam Johnson is nice and Mikal Bridges is my favorite small forward in the league.”

So far this season, Lillard finds himself off to an uncharacteristically slow start, but he remains an undisputed top player in our league. As someone averaging 24.6 points and 6.6 assists per game for his career, and responsible for several of the game’s top plays in the past ten years, his words carry great value.

The six-time All-Star also went on to name Phoenix as something of an ideal system for himself to play within.

“You just look at how that team is put together, and they’re in the Finals coming out of the West. That’s what my vision is,” said Lillard.

Although Haynes’s entire sit down with Lillard focused around his desire to stay with the Trail Blazers, his clear appreciation for the Suns might spark some interest between him and Phoenix’s front office down the line.

When Lillard’s contract with Portland runs out after the 2024-25 season, the Suns will be able to pull the plug on Chris Paul’s deal should they feel the need to. With Phoenix likely still possessing Bridges and their young core which Lillard just raved about, some freed up cap space, and a new vacancy at the point guard spot, everything might come together perfectly for the Suns to sign “Dame Time” three summers from now.

Going from “Point God” Chris Paul to Damian Lillard might feel like a pipe dream for now, but all the factors needed to make it happen stand well within Phoenix’s reach.