The Phoenix Suns officially introduced Miles Bridges to the media, defending the decision to add the forward to the roster despite the player's controversial off-the-court history, which includes a domestic violence conviction.
Bridges, 28, acknowledged that some Suns fans are not thrilled with his arrival. "It's mixed feelings about me being here," the player said during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. "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."
General manager Brian Gregory explained that the franchise felt comfortable bringing Bridges to Phoenix despite his "unacceptable conduct that has occurred in the past." Gregory's relationship with Bridges dates back roughly a decade, when the GM was a consultant at Michigan State and Bridges was a player for the Spartans. The Suns' ties with Michigan State run deep — owner Mat Ishbia was a walk-on player for the Spartans in the late 1990s and early 2000s, while coach Jordan Ott spent time with the program as a video coordinator from 2008 to 2013.
Bridges was arrested in June 2022 on the eve of free agency on charges including felony child abuse and injuring a child's parent. The NBA forced him to sit out while his legal case was pending and he ultimately pleaded no contest. The league suspended him for 30 games in April 2023 but gave him a 20-game credit for missing the entire 2022-23 season. Bridges also faced three charges for an alleged violation of a domestic violence protection order on October 6, 2023, before the case was eventually dropped.
From a basketball perspective, Bridges brings a significant boost to the Suns' frontcourt. The 6-foot-7, 225-pounder averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season for the Hornets, who reached the play-in tournament. Bridges joins a Suns core that includes five-time All-Star Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Mark Williams. Phoenix was one of the league's surprise teams last season, winning 45 games and making the playoffs despite trading superstar Kevin Durant the previous offseason.
The Suns acquired Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for guard Grayson Allen, forward Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick in a trade completed June 28.
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