​The Phoenix Suns’ potential trade for star forward Miles Bridges remains not yet finalized, and it’s already drawing substantial scrutiny. Bleacher Report argues that bringing Bridges to Phoenix could end up being the franchise’s biggest misstep of the summer, listing the Suns among five teams that “definitely got worse” in this offseason. The core reasoning centers on the notion that Phoenix surrendered two of its premier shooters, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, for a player who could be labeled a “fringe starter” in Bridges. While assessing a deal before the player takes the court is inherently uncertain, B/R’s analysis invites a closer look at how the trade stacks up.
In terms of raw individual talent, Bridges is not vastly superior to Allen or O’Neale. Last season with the Charlotte Hornets, Bridges posted averages of 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the field across 77 appearances. By contrast, Grayson Allen averaged 16.5 points per game on 40.3 percent shooting overall and 34.9 percent from three-point range in 51 games. It’s also worth highlighting Bridges’ athleticism and defensive versatility, which are notable advantages relative to Allen. Yet the gap between Bridges and Allen is not dramatic, and the Suns’ decision to surrender an unprotected first-round pick adds a significant cost to the equation. From that perspective, the deal appears to tilt unfavorably for Phoenix on the surface.
That said, declaring the trade a definitive downgrade for the Suns is a different matter. Phoenix has long sought a true starting power forward, a role Bridges can fill by providing scoring, defense, and rebounding at a high level. The concern about spacing remains valid, given the potential loss of two proven outside shooters, but Phoenix still features multiple capable shooters on the roster, including Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Collin Gillespie, and Jordan Goodwin. The presence of these shooters means the lineup could still retain respectable wide-open looks even with Bridges on the floor.
Bleacher Report’s core argument is that the Suns paid too steep a price for Bridges, but the verdict that the move definitively worsens Phoenix’s outlook is not clear-cut. There is a meaningful argument that Bridges addresses a need at starting power forward, aligning with the team’s strategic goals and potentially elevating their ceiling if he thrives in the role. Until Bridges makes his Suns debut and the team’s chemistry can be evaluated on the court, any assessment remains speculative. The truth could hinge on Bridges’ adaptation to a new system, his fit with the surrounding pieces, and how well the Suns manage spacing and lineups with the combination of Bridges, Booker, and the remaining guards.
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For more context on the perspective surrounding this trade, Anthony Pasciolla, the publisher of SunsRoundtable, can be reached via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on X @AnthonyPasci. His platform collects and curates fan insights, expert opinions, and news updates to illuminate the evolving conversations around the Suns as they navigate a pivotal offseason.