Despite finishing with the most wins they had in a decade, the Charlotte Hornets wanted to move on from the LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges era. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns wanted wing depth and had their eye on Charlotte’s Miles Bridges for a couple of years.
Now the two sides have reached a trade, first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN:
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• Phoenix receives: Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick (the worst of Utah’s, Minnesota’s and Cleveland’s), and a 2027 second-round pick
• Charlotte receives: Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick.
This trade is not a shock, the Suns’ interest in Bridges — a Michigan State alum, as is owner Mat Ishbia’s penchant — is well known, and he should be an upgrade on the wing. Bridges is set to make $22.8 million in this, the final year of his current contract, but he is extension eligible and that deal likely follows, according to reporting out of Phoenix. The Suns are also looking to add a backup two guard to replace Allen.
This trade also saves the Suns about $6.2 million in salary, which could translate into $30 million in luxury tax penalty savings (and it’s possible they could reduce that bill further).
It also means no player selected in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft is still with their original team (Bridges was the final one).
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This is a great trade for the Hornets. They already have Brandon Miller at the three, now they add depth behind him and Kon Knueppel, and they get a very valuable unprotected 2033 pick. Allen averaged 16.5 points a game shooting 34.9% from 3-point range in Phoenix, while O’Neal averaged 9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds a game, and was a plus defender on the perimeter, primarily as a starter in Phoenix. It’s worth noting that Charlotte had been open to getting out of the Bridges business for some time.
Also, do not be surprised if this trade is ultimately added to the Ball-to-Timberwolves trade. Minnesota has a hole at the three and could want O’Neal or Josh Green (part of the LaMelo trade) to join them as part of an expanded trade.
It’s an interesting move for Phoenix, which just got more athletic on the wing but at the cost of a couple of its best shooters. There is a logical fit on the court, Phoenix could use what Bridges brings in athleticism, but it also puts a lot on the re-signed Collin Gillespi and Jordan Goodwin next season.
The Bridges trade will also lead to pushback from some fans on another front: Bridges was arrested, charged, and ultimately pled no contest in a domestic violence case. The arrest was four years ago for assaulting Mychelle Johnson in front of their two children (she posted the hospital report and brutal details on social media). While some charges were ultimately dropped, he pled no contest to a felony domestic violence charge and was given three years probation. Some in the Phoenix fan base will question whether owner Mat Ishbia is trying to raise the Suns’ culture if this is who the team trades for.
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