Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory defended the signing of forward Miles Bridges on Wednesday, acknowledging the player's troubled off-court history while insisting the organization believes he has grown since his 2022 arrest.
Bridges, 28, appeared at his introductory press conference alongside Gregory and acknowledged that some Phoenix fans are unhappy with his arrival.
«It's mixed feelings about me being here,» Bridges said. «But I take full responsibility for my actions, I've been to counseling, I've been to therapy. Right now I'm prioritizing just being better as a man every day, on and off the court. Mainly off the court.»
The Suns acquired Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick from Charlotte in exchange for guard Grayson Allen, forward Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick on June 28.
Gregory said the franchise felt comfortable bringing Bridges to Phoenix despite his «unacceptable conduct that has occurred in the past.» The GM's relationship with Bridges stretches back roughly a decade to when Gregory was a consultant at Michigan State and Bridges was a freshman with the Spartans.
«Those questions are part of his story,» Gregory said. «He's dealt with them before and he'll deal with them today as well. I think those questions — we were aware of and we knew about — and that's why we took this decision so seriously.»
Bridges pleaded no contest in 2022 to a felony domestic violence charge and was subsequently suspended for 30 games by the NBA in April 2023. He averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season for Charlotte.
Bridges joins a Suns core that includes five-time All-Star Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Mark Williams. Phoenix won 45 games and made the playoffs last season despite trading superstar Kevin Durant.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/phoenix-suns-miles-bridges-arrest-945e6eebd19df65079242fccb8e1492c
