After a 2025-26 season that shattered expectations and put the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs (where they were ultimately swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder), the front office made yet another big swing trade to add a new talent.
Polarizing power forward Miles Bridges was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets for a package including Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and an unprotected 2033 first round pick. Even in a vacuum, the deal could be met with criticism. Both Allen and O’Neale provided some of the most consistent outside shooting in franchise history. Both flirted with breaking the franchise record for 3-point makes in a season, a mark that breakout guard Collin Gillespie ultimately attained.
Not only was that tandem elite from beyond the arc, but they proved solid fits in Jordan Ott’s system around go-to scorers in Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
That doesn’t even account for the unprotected first rounder heading Charlotte’s way, further neutering Phoenix’s draft capital and making a post-Booker future even more murky.
But now, the Suns are moving forward with Bridges. The 28-year-old veteran has never made an All-Star team in his NBA career, but many Suns fans were (rightfully) more critical of Bridges’ off-court indiscretions. His history of domestic violence, chronicled by longtime NBA reporter David Aldridge, would make anyone with a conscience cringe.
Despite his sordid past, the Suns’ front office gave up a lot to acquire Bridges — even entering a contract year. Suns GM Brian Gregory went so far as to call Bridges “a perfect fit” for the franchise — a comment that further rankled some Suns fans.
Gregory also admitted that Bridges’ Michigan State ties played a role in their decision to acquire him. Suns owner Mat Ishbia is a Michigan State alum with clear bias for his alma mater, having hired Gregory, Ott and developmental coach Mateen Cleaves, who all have MSU connections.
So, can Bridges endear himself to a new fanbase as he clearly already has to the team’s front office?
Miles Bridges has plenty to prove in The Valley with the Suns
As Doug Haller wrote for The Athletic, “it will take some doing to convince everyone” that Bridges is making an effort to right his wrongs and become a player worth rooting for.
“He said he has gone through therapy and counseling and has prioritized becoming a better man,” Haller wrote of Bridges.
It will be a steep hill for Bridges to climb, provided there will no doubt be Suns fans who already consider his past legal troubles a line in the sand. That doesn’t even account for the actual basketball side of things, as Phoenix will be relying on Bridges to elevate the team from its surprising 45-win campaign a season ago.
Youngsters Rasheer Fleming, Khaman Maluach and incoming rookie Koa Peat all showed out during summer league action, which arguably puts even more pressure on Bridges to perform, since he’ll be ahead of those fellow frontcourt players on the depth chart.
“I know coming to a new community, y’all really don’t know me like that,” Bridges said. “I’ve been in Charlotte eight years. I’ve done a lot of stuff in their community, and I’ve earned their respect and trust. I know I have to do that here. I’m committed to being in the community. I’m committed to everybody just getting to know me as a person.”
The Suns’ front office effectively put their reputations on the line to acquire Bridges. The onus is now on him to show their faith was not misguided.
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