PHOENIX — Miles Bridges on Wednesday came across as someone who wanted to prove himself to the Phoenix Suns fanbase. As someone who wanted to make a difference in the community and as someone who wanted to elevate a basketball team to a higher level.
It will take some doing to convince everyone, but for his first public appearance since he was traded here from the Charlotte Hornets, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward seemed sincere. Bridges, 28, took responsibility for his actions relating to a 2022 incident in which he pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge. He said he has gone through therapy and counseling and has prioritized becoming a better man.
Advertisement
“I’ve been at rock bottom before, and I’ve had to work my way up to where I am now,” Bridges said. “I can’t pinpoint one thing that I’ve learned. It’s just a lot of things that I learned about life in general.”
Second chances (Bridges might be on his third if charges from another domestic incident weren’t dropped in 2024) are complicated because the opinion of who deserves one and who doesn’t is not universal. Part of the Phoenix fanbase thinks Bridges has paid his debt and it’s time to move on. Others aren’t close to that point and may never reach it.
That’s why Wednesday was a necessary step. A chance for everyone to hear Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory explain the organization’s reasoning and steep cost behind the Bridges trade. And for Bridges to explain why he was worth the backlash, no matter how big or small.
In his second year as GM, Gregory didn’t dance. He called Bridges’ previous conduct unacceptable and said questions about it were “part of his story.” He said the Suns will hold him to the highest standards. And he said there will be no wavering. “We also recognize that trust is not given, that it’s earned,” Gregory said.
He also acknowledged the shared Michigan State background was a factor in the decision, which is something this organization has not always done. Owner and Michigan State alum Mat Ishbia has hired several people (Gregory, head coach Jordan Ott, developmental coach Mateen Cleaves) with Sparty ties. But it annoys him when people suggest it’s a major factor in his basketball decision-making. In this case, the relationship helped.
Gregory worked as a consultant on Tom Izzo’s staff during Bridges’ first college season. He recalled sitting in Izzo’s office before the 2017 NCAA Tournament when Bridges entered and informed them he planned on returning to school for his sophomore season. “Coach Izzo almost fell out of his chair,” said Gregory, adding that Bridges would’ve been a first-round NBA Draft pick had he decided to leave.
Advertisement
The larger point: “That helped us in the fact that I know who Miles Bridges is as a person,” Gregory said of their shared season together. “I know all his mentors from Flint, Michigan. Every single one of them. I know his coaches at Huntington Prep. I have a pretty good relationship with his college coach. (That history) was beneficial in our decision process.”
Gregory said he also talked with coaches in Charlotte, where Bridges played for seven seasons, averaging 15.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. The main things he wanted to know: Did Bridges show accountability? Did he show remorse? Did he grow as a person? Ultimately, Gregory said the organization was convinced Bridges was a solid cultural fit and character fit. After they considered the basketball part, Gregory said the Suns weren’t just comfortable with the idea of adding Bridges; they were excited.
“A perfect fit for us,” Gregory said. “Obviously, everything we’re about as a team — the grit, the energy, the toughness that we play with, the competitiveness — Miles Bridges brings that every single day, every time he walks onto the court. That’s exactly who he is.”
A local sports columnist asked if Ishbia should have attended the news conference given the sensitivity of the situation. Gregory said he talks with Ishbia and CEO Josh Bartelstein daily. But he added: “I’m in charge of all the basketball decisions that are being made.”
The Suns gave up Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale — two of their top shooters — as well as a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick in the trade, which Phoenix announced July 13. In addition to Bridges, the Suns received a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick. They hope this move vaults them out of the Play-In Tournament, where they landed last season, and into Western Conference contention.
a.showcase-link-container {
display: flex;
gap: 20px;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
padding: 20px 0px;
border-top: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
text-decoration: none;
color: #121212;
cursor: pointer;
.showcase-link {
font-family: nyt-franklin;
font-size: 14px;
font-style: normal;
font-weight: 700;
line-height: 13.8px;
letter-spacing: 1.1px;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
.showcase-link-image {
border-radius: 8px;
object-fit: cover;
width: 200px;
height: 150px;
margin: 0px;
@media (max-width: 600px) {
width: 120px;
height: 120px;
}
}
.showcase-link-inner-content {
display: flex;
flex-direction: row;
gap: 16px;
width: 100%;
}
.showcase-link-text-content {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 20px;
justify-content: center;
@media (max-width: 600px) {
gap: 8px;
}
}
.showcase-link-title {
font-family: nyt-cheltenham;
font-size: 24px;
font-style: normal;
font-weight: 500;
line-height: 120%; /* 24px */
letter-spacing: 0.01px;
text-overflow: ellipsis;
overflow: hidden;
display: -webkit-box;
-webkit-box-orient: vertical;
-webkit-line-clamp: 3;
@media (max-width: 600px) {
font-size: 16px;
}
}
.showcase-link-excerpt {
font-family: nyt-imperial;
font-size: 16px;
font-style: normal;
font-weight: 400;
line-height: 139%; /* 19.46px */
color: #323232;
text-overflow: ellipsis;
overflow: hidden;
display: -webkit-box;
-webkit-box-orient: vertical;
-webkit-line-clamp: 4;
@media (max-width: 600px) {
font-size: 12px;
line-height: 121%;
}
}
}
.showcase-link-inputs {
.showcase-link-input {
width: 100%;
font-size: 1rem;
background-color: white;
margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.showcase-link-indent {
margin-left: 25px;
}
option {
width: 100%;
}
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.native-mobile a.showcase-link-container {
background-color: #121212;
color: #f0f0ee;
.showcase-link-excerpt {
color: #c4c4c0;
}
}
}
// Remove all onclicks on imgs for apps to prevent image zoom on click
document.querySelectorAll(‘.showcase-link-image’).forEach((img) => img.removeAttribute(‘onclick’));
Bridges sat out the 2022-23 season while the allegations that he assaulted his then-girlfriend in front of the couple’s two children were investigated. The NBA ultimately suspended him for 30 games, 20 served during the season he sat out and 10 served the next season. Bridges on Wednesday thanked the Hornets for giving him a second chance, especially “when they didn’t have to.” He also said he looks forward to earning the trust of the Phoenix community. He’s already started the basketball work.
Advertisement
Before Wednesday’s news conference, Bridges said he and Cleaves — two former Michigan State standouts — worked out together, something of a full-circle moment for him. He mentioned bonding with teammates in Las Vegas during NBA summer league. Gregory said he knew Bridges would fit in when he got a text message from him late one night. The GM was at a Backstreet Boys concert with his family at Sphere; Bridges wanted to know how he could get in the gym for a workout.
“I know coming to a new community, y’all really don’t know me like that,” Bridges said. “I’ve been in Charlotte eight years. I’ve done a lot of stuff in their community, and I’ve earned their respect and trust. I know I have to do that here. I’m committed to being in the community. I’m committed to everybody just getting to know me as a person.”