Shams: Suns trade for Miles Bridges

[1tinsoldier]

i just heard someone say that, "by every metric the Hornets were better with Bridges off the floor than on it."

also, i'm not familiar with Bridges, but some of his life decisions indicate he's not very bright. So how does this trade make us better? on the court, and in the fans eyes?

and since Bickley adds, "His defense leaves much to be desired. And clearly the Hornets had no intention of extending Bridges’ expiring contract" i don't see anything for me to like about this trade

 

[AzStevenCal]

I still can't believe we did this. I don't mind the Michigan State connection but I don't care for the person nor his game. I'd feel a lot better if it turned out this was purely a financial move but the MSU connection suggests otherwise. Bad look for a franchise that didn't need any more negative press. I don't think it's the end of the world but I really question their reasoning here.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

For such little reward. This isn’t even like we’re selling our soul for a superstar (which would also be bad!). But doing it for a non-All Star, who a horrible franchise like Charlotte is happy to get rid of…

Basketball wise, I do believe we are a better team now but what a six or seven seed instead of an eight seed?

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

and since Bickley adds, "His defense leaves much to be desired. And clearly the Hornets had no intention of extending Bridges’ expiring contract" i don't see anything for me to like about this trade

Bickley is the king of lazy analysis. He has a 2.5 defensive win share last year. He's is average to decent

 

[Cheesebeef]

Basketball wise, I do believe we are a better team now but what a six or seven seed instead of an eight seed?

Guess it depends. If Butler is healthy and comes back strong and the Warriors add some pieces I can still see them being better than us. And the Blazers are just as talented (if not more) and their young guys are only going to get better. Everyone has called for the Wolves to fall apart after they make trades every offseason and as long as Ant is healthy, they just continue to make the 2nd round of the playoffs at worst.

 

[Covert Rain]

The Suns are swinging for the home run whenever possible. It's becoming their MO.

This isn't a home run swing. Durant/Beal was a home run swing. This is a double, hoping it turns into a triple if you are lucky. In fact, this looks more like a bunt gone terribly wrong and turns into a double play. I know the Suns were embracing the bad boy image I just didn't know they wanted to embrace the scumbag image to boot.

The only positive I see here is the future flexibility. I can't root for this guy....at all. I would have rather seen the Suns put all their efforts into Flemming or wait and make a different move. Extending this guy is going to give me agida until he is gone.

 

[Raindog]

I am not buying the "financial flexibility" bonus of this trade. I have every expectation that he's going to get an ugly extension.

Something like 3 years 100 million, maybe a bit north of that.

That would be a real mess, if it happens. A lot of serious fans will likely turn on Ishbia, even more so than with the Durant trade.

 

[GatorAZ]

I am not buying the "financial flexibility" bonus of this trade. I have every expectation that he's going to get an ugly extension.

Something like 3 years 100 million, maybe a bit north of that.

We’re not competing with anyone over Miles Bridges. This MSU thing is just bizarre.

Plays one year and thanks for your services.

 

[GatorAZ]

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[Yuma]

iDK, we are supposed to be "alligned." Everone they got last season was part of teh "alignment." It worked. We made the playoffs. Then they draft a kid that has flaws but fits the "alignment" perfectly. Now the first free agent move is a guy who doesn't check any of the boxes in the "alignment." IDK how to feel.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I sure hope we aren’t planning to go for Ja now. That team would be a disaster. I won’t live long enough to see the team recover.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

I sure hope we aren’t planning to go for Ja now. That team would be a disaster. I won’t live long enough to see the team recover.

Truth

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

I am going to take a stab and say it's Herro.

 

[clyde2tw]

iDK, we are supposed to be "alligned." Everone they got last season was part of teh "alignment." It worked. We made the playoffs. Then they draft a kid that has flaws but fits the "alignment" perfectly. Now the first free agent move is a guy who doesn't check any of the boxes in the "alignment." IDK how to feel.

I thought Michigan State suited the 'alignment' thing? MB should be willing to play the way his co-alumni Ott wanted, and with best effort to get a new deal next year.

 

[Yuma]

I thought Michigan State suited the 'alignment' thing? MB should be willing to play the way his co-alumni Ott wanted, and with best effort to get a new deal next year.

The alignment was supposed to negate the Michigan State thing. The GM Michigan state thing wasn't why we hired him. Major doubts on that. Then last season, he proved in a way that he was worth more than his ties to the owner. Now not so sure.

 

[Hoop Head]

I digested this for a minute. Not the worst trade this ownership has done, but there are a few things that irritate me:

1) We'll get the DV stuff out of the way. Obviously, I dont condone DV by any means and it does make me somewhat uneasy that Bridges is on the roster. But none of us are going to stop supporting or cheering for the Suns because of this move; so let's cut out the virtue signaling unless you are truly going to burn your Suns paraphernalia, cancel your NBA package or sell your season tickets. If we win a title with Bridges, I guarantee none of you will be referencing his DV case during the championship parade. He's now on the team. Accept it. Just dont buy his jersey and dont ask for his autograph.

2) I'm concerned that we have a D'Antoni 2.0 situation on our hands. Re-signing Williams and keeping Oso is taking away from Maluach's development, and trading for Miles Bridges is impacting Fleming's and to a lesser extent, Koa's development. I dont want another coach that ignores playing young players.

3) the 2033 first didnt need to be unprotected, and if it is, this really bites.

4) This infatuation with Michigan State is a little concerning. From Izzo interviewing for the HC job to almost every staff member having Spartan ties, this is becoming one of the most nepotistic ownership teams in sports history. Unless prime Magic Johnson plans on joining, this is a distraction. $50 says that the Suns aggressively go after Jeremy Fears in the draft next season.

5) I wonder if the financial flexibility gained from this trade opens the doors to another significant move this offseason. FWIW, Flex thinks there's a shooter we're after.

6) Amidst all of the craziness, Miles is a former 20/8 guy in a contract year, so it's not like we just got a scrub. Front court athleticism and physicality were legit concerns last season. Royce and Grayson werent solving those issues.

Spoiler: Don't virtue signal

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[JRakes]

I don’t hate this deal. Saved 20 mill, got a solid pf (granted w awful off court rep), moved a first rounder 7 years from now to a pick 2 years away.

Royce wasn’t getting better than last year and Grayson is ok.

I’m good with it.

 

[outcent13]

Bickley is the king of lazy analysis. He has a 2.5 defensive win share last year. He's is average to decent

Yeah he is pretty lame. Between him and Jared I can’t even listen to the morning radio show anymore.

 

[outcent13]

I’m indifferent on the trade. 20-30 million in savings is no small thing and probably has more to do with this than anything.

I’m with some of you guys the NBA is pretty low on my list already. For those that are bothered that he is a Suns player now I get it. I would argue that the league is the bigger problem for allowing him to continue to be a part of it. I also know that a lot of us did some dumb crap in our early 20s and have grown from it. Hopefully he has as well.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

bridges wears #0
dunn already has dibbs on #0

Maybe one of them can wear Aught.

 

[TJ]

Spoiler: Don't virtue signal

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So are you going to not watch the Suns because Bridges is on the team?

 

[TJ]

Basketball wise, I do believe we are a better team now but what a six or seven seed instead of an eight seed?

I’m convinced there’s another impactful move on deck.

 

[TJ]

Sure thing bud. I don't have any Suns paraphernalia or season tickets, but yes, this makes my decision not to renew League Pass an easier one. True, I was already leaning in that direction, but after this trade, there's no debate.

Then you’re putting your money where your mouth is. I respect that.

 

[Dr. Jones]

In a league dominated by three point shooting this team just chose to get worse. Meanwhile, the Charlotte hornets are going all out on three-point shooting. You have to kind of respect the attempt by them to remove one of their worst on court shooter/defenders with two great role player three point shooters. But their defense is gonna suck over there. I really think they’re gonna try and score people 130 to 125.

I’m also really worried about our team defense as well now. As well as rim pressure. Ironically Grayson was one of the better drivers of the basketball on this team.

So in short, I don’t love this deal. And that’s before we get to the fact that Miles Bridges has a horrible track record as a human being.

 

[hcsilla]

from a basketball perspective, I would have preferred to just try to get picks for Royce and Grayson.

So, I guess I don’t like this trade.

I agree, but teams probably didn't bomb the Suns' front office with offers for O'Neale and Allen.

As time slowly went by, I started to lose faith that the Suns can get a 1st rounder for Allen, and I'm not sure that we could get more than a bunch of mediocre 2nd rounders for both combined.
And if so, that is something that you can buy for cash (more or less).