The Phoenix Suns are reportedly interested in trading for Charlotte Hornets’ forward Miles Bridges, who would fill a position of need for them, but has a troubled history.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This interest was originally reported by PHNX’s Gerald Bourguet. It has been further confirmed by Clutch Points’ Trevor Booth and Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
The Suns plan to be active on the trade and buyout market to tweak their roster, per @Gambo987 (https://t.co/bJdD4jkFuz).
Miles Bridges is a legitimate target who they feel comfortable giving up assets for, even as a rental for the remainder of this season.
Bridges has a full… pic.twitter.com/YL7fSon2Gt
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 24, 2024
After trading away Terry Rozier yesterday, the Hornets, sitting at 10-31 and in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, are now looked at to be sellers ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
The 6-foot-7, 25-year-old Bridges is averaging a career-best 20.9 points on 46% shooting to go along with 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 36.8 minutes across 30 games this season.
Bridges signed a one-year qualifying offer with Charlotte in July worth $7.9 million, so ideally Phoenix could get a 20-point-per-game, 3-and-D wing without giving up much assets. Bridges also has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he can veto any trade he doesn’t like, just like what Bradley Beal has.
However, Bridges’ recent past is highlighted by domestic violence charges. This has left Suns’ fans torn if they want him on their team.
Morals should matter.
Some things are bigger than basketball. https://t.co/N7XhbPqHJ4
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) January 23, 2024
Bridges was originally arrested on June 29, 2022 for allegedly assaulting his now ex-girlfriend in front of their children. Less than a month later, he was charged with “one felony count of causing harm to a parent of a child and two felony counts of child abuse,” according to CBS Sports. Bridges plead guilty to all three of these charges on July 20.
On Nov. 3 2022, Bridges was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to the felony charge of injury his child’s parent..
Bridges sat out the entire 2022-23 season following the situation. He also missed out a very large extension in the summer of 2022 due to the legal situation.
On April 14, 2023, Bridges was suspended for 30 games by the NBA. The league counted 20 games in the 2022-23 season towards the suspension, and he had to serve 10 more at the beginning of this season.
Bridges would later go onto sign this one-year deal with the Hornets in the offseason. He would essentially be a rental piece for this season if Phoenix was to acquire him in their hopes to win a title.
So should the Suns, sitting at 25-18 and on a six-game win streak, trade for a player with this troubled history?
Nick Richards
According to PHNX’s Flex From Jersey and Booth, Phoenix is also interested in Charlotte center Nick Richards.
Richards is averaging 8.7 points on 67.5% shooting and 7.6 rebounds in 32 games for the Hornets this season. He could fill the backup or third-string center position on the Suns, depending who they give up.
Richards is on the first season of a three-year, $15 million deal. He has a cap hit of $5 million this season.
Gambadoro reported that the Suns are not interested in Richards contrary to these reports.
Definitely NO on Richards. Bridges would be great but very hard to do and you wouldn't be able to sign as an UFA and you don't get his Bird rights if you trade for him – but I'm pretty sure the Suns would just rent him if that possibility arose, I just believe chances are slim. https://t.co/NGigVwnWnR
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) January 23, 2024
We will see what the Suns end up doing at the deadline. It appears the Hornets are the most likely trade partner for Phoenix.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
