Miles Bridges is a throwback player: durable, protective and versatile. He should not only make the Phoenix Suns better next season but fit into the basketball culture the front office has promoted as the organization’s foundation.
That is the assessment of five former NBA assistant coaches who have worked with the physical forward the Suns acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade on June 28. Bridges will help the Suns on the court and needs to improve in certain areas. The coaches also expressed confidence he had learned from previous mistakes.
For obvious reasons, Bridges’ arrival brings both optimism and concerns. In 2022, he pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge. He sat out the 2022-23 season while the incident was investigated. After signing a qualifying offer to return to Charlotte, he missed the first 10 games of the next season as part of a 30-game NBA suspension. Bridges apologized to fans and thanked the league and Hornets for giving him a second chance.
However, in 2023, he was accused of violating a domestic violence protective order. Those charges were dismissed in 2024 due to insufficient evidence. This is a big move for the Suns, who are trying to stretch beyond the Play-In Tournament they reached last season and into Western Conference contention. They sent guard Grayson Allen, forward Royce O’Neale and a 2033 unprotected first-round pick to Charlotte. In addition to Bridges, they received a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
With Bridges approaching the final season of a three-year, $75 million deal, Phoenix could sign him to an extension and make him a significant part of the team’s future. On the basketball court, Bridges will fit into Phoenix’s culture because he works hard. He gives the Suns a physical wing who can complement Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on both ends without requiring a high usage rate helps the offensive scheme that relies on ball movement and spacing. Bridges can finish at the rim, set solid screens and protect the paint.
The Suns must decide whether to extend Bridges before free agency opens on June 30, 2025. An extension would solidify the front end of the roster and allow Phoenix to explore additional moves. Training camp in September will test how quickly Bridges integrates into the Suns’ defensive schemes and whether his growth translates into on-court consistency. The acquisition of Bridges is about blending talent, versatility and a measured belief in personal growth as the team chases its next playoff push.
