The Phoenix Suns' front office has preached continuity for over a year, so the decision to give some of that up in favor of Miles Bridges a baffling one. Yet, if things pan out as they hope, that bold move could pay off in a big way.
Suns had to add more talent to compete with Devin Booker
Both Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale were crucial to the Suns winning 45 games last season, but trading them when their combined value was at an all-time high made sense. The return of Bridges, not to mention giving up an unprotected first in 2033, underwhelmed many, but this team has gotten better on paper.
The risk for Phoenix is that the game is played on the court, and there is no doubt they've given up a pair of guys who were great for the culture of this group. Compare that with Bridges, who has never been known for his ability to bring a team together.
The franchise is on the clock to provide a winning squad for Booker to contend with. Making the postseason and being swept is as good as it was going to get with Allen and O'Neale in town.
The great unknown is what Bridges can bring, but the Suns also signed Luke Kennard and managed to nab Pat Spencer on a two-way contract. They are more moving pieces to shake up their continuity, but the best-case scenario for all three makes the Suns a tough first-round playoff out.
The worst case scenario? We'd prefer not to think about that.
Suns balancing new faces and continuity by bringing back key players
It's not like the front office has veered off in a different direction altogether, which makes the return of Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin so necessary. They were as important to the "never take a night off" mentality that head coach Jordan Ott instilled from the jump, and their roles could actually increase this time around.
The team keeping the same core in place means they can absorb some new faces, while the turnover in The Valley is nowhere near that of other teams. It would be great to be the Philadelphia 76ers right now, but actually incorporating LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on the same roster is easier said than done.
The Suns had to take a chance to improve after exceeding expectations, and they did just that this offseason. The alternative of resting on their modest laurels from a season ago wasn't going to cut it.
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