Miles Bridges is now a member of the Phoenix Suns, make of that what you will. But what this surprising (and disappointing) news also means is the franchise has opened up another roster spot.
While the likes of Jonathan Isaac and Keon Ellis are suddenly back on the table, this looks like the perfect opportunity to revisit getting a point guard to pair alongside Devin Booker.
Dejounte Murray is that guy for the Suns
The Ja Morant speculation has already been shot down by several reputable sources, and for good reason. Phoenix has already taken a hammer to their culture by bringing in Bridges, adding Morant to the mix would be setting the whole place on fire.
He is not the long-term solution here, but Dejounte Murray of the New Orleans Pelicans certainly is. A guy who has been an All-Star and lost his mojo in the last few years, but drives to the paint and puts pressure on the rim in a way few guards can.
Murray also fits the age profile (29, same as Devin Booker) and has the ability to be the defensive-minded point guard that head coach Jordan Ott would love. With Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin backing him up, the Suns would be even more difficult to break down.
The cost of getting a deal done would be Jalen Green, and perhaps even taking on another contract which is what the newly opened roster spot could be used for, but that is the cost of doing business. Green didn't quite fit with this roster before, and the arrival of Bridges does not help his cause.
Going to New Orleans, playing alongside Zion Williamson and taking 20 shots a night might just appeal to the former second overall pick.
For the Suns, they go all in on bullying opponents inside with Bridges, Murray, Mark Williams, Dillon Brooks and Khaman Maluach, and completely abandon spacing as a concept as we know it. Booker would become the lead offensive weapon once more, and this roster would begin to make more sense.
It is clear the front office wants to become more competitive in the short-term, and despite looking like they were going to get their business done early, they will be active in the coming weeks looking for ways to improve.
Dejounte Murray has never been on the radar before, but with the way this roster is being constructed he suddenly looks like the answer with the arrival of Bridges.
Add us as a preferred source on Google