The Third Apron Podcast with Yossi Gozlan was back recently ahead of training camp opening later this month, and the Phoenix Suns' trade for Miles Bridges was under fire by Sam Quinn of CBS. He called the trade, giving up an unprotected 2033 first-round pick for the scoring forward, indefensible and a lateral move, going in on owner Mat Ishbia for sanctioning the move.
Pricey addition of Miles Bridges will see Suns remain play-in team
"He (Ishbia) does not understand long-term roster building responsibility in any way, shape or form. Trading a 2033 first round pick for Miles Bridges to go from a Play-In team to a Play-In team is maybe the most indefensible thing any NBA team did this offseason."
It sounds dramatic, but Quinn is unfortunately right. To give you an idea of how valuable those unprotected firsts are in trades, players of the caliber of LaMelo Ball and Giannis Antetokounmpo moved franchises this summer, and those picks were part of the packages to get it done.
Despite the criticism, he is a clear upgrade over Royce O'Neale and could be the latest guy with Michigan ties expected to fail to go on and exceed expectations in The Valley. Having averaged over 20 points per game the season before last, he will make Devin Booker's life easier as well. Two things can be true at once: the Suns overpaid wildly for Bridges, but he will help the team win games.
It just won't be enough to get out of a Play-In spot in the Western Conference, and Quinn is right to frame the acquisition in this way. Some fans are optimistic that those around the Suns (such as the Los Angeles Lakers) could take a step back, paving the way for a run to a top-four seed.
This is a veteran-heavy group, and although an injury to starting center Mark Williams is a blow, they may be able to cover his absence from within. Head Coach Jordan Ott should squeeze a top-12 defense out of this roster, and they will remain a tough out each night.
Still, when you consider some of the massive moves and monster teams they will have to compete with to get there, you realize that Bridges, at the price the Suns paid for him, was not the answer.
Looming extension will fool Suns for short period
Bridges joins the organization at a time when he has had off the court issues and is eligible for an extension. It is in his best interests to showcase himself on offense while also not rocking the boat. When that happens and he earns his next deal, many will say the trade was a success.
Only when he is long gone by 2033 (we're calling it before 2030) and Booker is closer to 40 than 30 will the real horrors of what the front office allowed to happen this offseason really hit home.
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