The 2018 NBA draft saw the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 10 and select Mikal Bridges out of Villanova. Within hours the Sixers flipped Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 16 pick, which they used on Texas Tech swingman Zhaire Smith. The move surprised many because Bridges was a local product with defensive versatility that fit the Sixers’ front-court heavy scheme.

Smith’s NBA tenure amounts to 13 career games: six in his rookie season before an allergic reaction limited his availability, and seven in his sophomore year before the Sixers sent him to Detroit in the 2020 offseason. By contrast, Bridges has appeared in two NBA Finals, first with the Suns in 2021 and later as a title-winning member of the New York Knicks in 2026.

From a basketball perspective, Bridges was a natural fit alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. His length, perimeter defense and ability to guard multiple positions would have complemented the Sixers’ defensive identity. Smith, a wing with upside as a three-point shooter, entered the league with a less certain defensive profile, and the early health setback erased much of his development window.

The decision reflects a broader pattern in Philadelphia’s draft strategy: a willingness to exchange proven talent for perceived upside, even when that upside is clouded by injury risk. The Sixers have repeatedly leveraged draft assets to acquire established players, yet this particular move yielded a player who never logged a full season for the club.

Looking ahead, Smith is working his way back into the NBA after a stint with the Texas Legends in the 2025-26 G League season. A Summer League invitation or a two-way contract could be his next step, but his path remains uncertain as the Sixers continue to evaluate past moves while building around a core that includes Embiid and a new generation of wing players.

The Bridge trade serves as a reminder that draft capital is only as valuable as the opportunity to develop it, and that a single decision can echo through a franchise’s fortunes for years.