The NBA offseason was full of blockbuster trades and high-profile transactions. Perhaps the most controversial trade of the offseason, though, was a deal the Phoenix Suns made with the Charlotte Hornets. The Suns traded Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and a 2033 first-round pick away. In return, the team added Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-rounder, and a future second-round pick.

On the court, Bridges is a great player. The Michigan State product is one of the best aerial athletes in the NBA; he plays hard-nosed defense, and his 3-point shot has been serviceable at times. Bridges averaged 17.1 points per game last season, but he was above the 20-point mark in his three previous seasons.

Bridges' talent isn't the concern, though, nor was the trade package the Suns gave up for the forward. Instead, it is Bridges' off-the-court history that is worrisome. Bridges was arrested for felony domestic violence in 2022. In 2023, he allegedly violated his probation. The legal issues resulted in a lengthy suspension from the NBA and the forward missing all of the 2022-23 season. Mat Ishbia addressed concerns over the Suns' newest member.

Article Continues Below

“I feel great about the Miles Bridges trade,” the Suns owner started… “Bringing in Miles, on the court, he is a phenomenal player. He has done amazing things; he is going to be a great fit from a cultural perspective. His work ethic, his grind, his athleticism, his toughness, it fits exactly with what we are building here in Phoenix. From a basketball perspective, we feel great about that fit with our team… Off the court, what Miles did was unacceptable and cannot be condoned by anyone in America, hopefully. Now, he has been held accountable, he showed remorse, and we have standards here in Phoenix, and that is not to our standards and will not be allowed anywhere near that level here in Phoenix.”


Ishibia pointed out how it was the Hornets, not the Suns, who first gave Bridges a second chance. Many fans will still disagree with employing someone with such an ugly legal history, but the Suns feel good about what they have in Bridges.