Phoenix Suns fans are still trying to process the franchise pivoting away from what was dubbed a "long-term" approach to team building by trading for Miles Bridges, but the league waits for nobody.
Jaylen Brown on the move only a couple of days later, in a shocking deal with the Philadelphia 76ers that only drives the point home further that the Suns gave up too much to acquire Bridges.
Unprotected first round picks being used for players levels above Bridges
The Boston Celtics getting a pair of first rounders alongside Paul George is still nowhere near enough value for a former NBA Finals MVP, but it highlights the calibre of guy you can get for even one unprotected first (unprotected in 2031 in the case of this trade).
Just before Brown was sensationally sent to Philadelphia, it was Walker Kessler who the Los Angeles Lakers targeted in a sign-and-trade. As part of that deal, they gave up a pair of unprotected firsts (2031 & 2033) in order to get their man. Kawhi Leonard also cost the Toronto Raptors two firsts with no protections.
Then there is the Miami Heat, who after finally landing Giannis Antetokounmpo had to give up unprotected firsts in 2031 and 2033, while LaMelo Ball also fetched the Charlotte Hornets back one in return.
The point is, and boy does it become disgustingly clear when you see the names listed above, the Suns paid way over the odds for a player who is nowhere near the level of any of those guys.
It says it all that the worst player there is probably Ball, or Leonard depending on if you think he can stay healthy at 35-years-old. Yet you can put Bridges right up there alongside them in terms of cost, yet you can already be sure Phoenix won't get close to the productivity from the 28-year-old.
His fit alongside Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green doesn't make sense, whereas unlike all of the other players here you can't build an offense around him either.
He's nowhere near the level of throwing everything out and starting again, and you could also make the case Brooks will be the better playoff performer for the team when the time (hopefully) comes.
A massive overpay from the Suns, made even worse by the fact two of their top seven players from a group that made the playoffs last season in Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale were also part of the deal. We might have to reconsider this take.
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