Miles Bridges was the biggest addition the Phoenix Suns made this offseason, and although the franchise gave up a 2033 first-round pick to acquire him, his starting position may already be under threat from rookie Koa Peat.
Peat is the bouncy forward who could unlock Suns' starting five
The Suns were floated as an obvious suitor for Aaron Gordon if made available by the Denver Nuggets prior to landing Bridges because he is an athletic four (when fully healthy) capable of battling bigger opponents while also having the speed to hang around the perimeter on both ends of the court.
The franchise decided that Peat was worth trading into the first round in order to replicate what Gordon would have brought to The Valley, with Bridges as a more well-rounded offensive threat.
We know that Coach Jordan Ott favors players who can elevate the group defensively, as proven by their surprise ninth-place finish in defensive rating (112.9 points conceded each night) last season. Bridges won't help in that department, but Peat certainly could.
The Suns also have clear spacing issues with their current starting five, and something has got to give. The organization obviously didn't give up all that they did to bring Bridges off the bench, although the only alternative is doing the same to Jalen Green and, in the process, officially making him the worst player they got in return for Kevin Durant.
Bridges will start this season, but with four of the Suns' starting five having averaged over 20 points per game in the recent past, sacrifices are going to have to be made for this to work. Peat would solve so many of those issues, as he would gladly do all of the grunt work while never having a play called for him and become an immediate lob threat for the team.
Coach Ott must be brave if Peat comes out swinging
It is no secret that Coach Ott favors playing veterans to pile up regular season wins, as was the case in his first season in charge. But the franchise has done an excellent job drafting youngsters in recent seasons, and if Peat is the latest, then he will have to make a tough decision before long.
Bridges will be looking for an extension, and all indications are that Phoenix will give it to him.
If Peat immediately looks like Aaron Gordon-lite and fits better with Booker and Dillon Brooks, Bridges is going to be in trouble. He may even elevate the play of center Khaman Maluach with his battering-ram approach inside the paint.
This is not what Miles Bridges thought he was going to have to contend with before ever playing a game for the Suns.
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