Mikal Bridges has the ability to immediately contribute for the Suns but the decision to trade up to the No. 10 spot was all about the future, Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer writes. Bridges’ combination of top 3-point shooting and elite length make him a perfect long-term fit next to Devin Booker.
In the best-case scenario for the Suns, Bridges can be a J.J. Redick/Kyle Korver-type of shooter on one side of the court without being a liability on the defensive end, Tjarks adds. The scribe, noting that Bridges defended all five positions at times while playing at Villanova, envisions the wing finding success at the next level.
Here’s more from Phoenix:
- Tjarks wonders (same piece) if the Suns will experiment with Booker this season by playing him at point guard. Phoenix doesn’t have an experienced point guard on the team, though it has the assets to make another trade should it look for more experience at the position.
- Dan Favale of NBA Math wonders if the Suns will make a deal for a point guard, as he discusses on the Hardwood Knocks podcast. Favale speculates that George Hill or Kemba Walker could be possibilities while mentioning that neither the Hornets nor Cavs appear to be in full rebuilding mode, so acquiring one of the two veterans could be tough to pull off at this point.
- De’Anthony Melton, who was sent to Phoenix in the Ryan Anderson trade, remains unsigned and Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors recently examined what kind of deal the Suns could offer the 2018 second-round pick. Phoenix can sign him to a contract that lasts more than two years, but it would require the team to make another move that opens up cap space.
A trade for Kemba with Phoenix would look something like Chandler, Anderson, and young players and picks for Walker and Batum
So you’re saying CHA won’t trade Walker without including Batum. Have to agree. That has probably been the holdup… They won’t be cherrypicked.
Phoenix just acquired Anderson because they actually need a stretch 4. Suns don’t have Alex Len anymore. They need Chandler. They have 4 small forwards and Booker at shooting guard. They don’t need Batum.
Plus Charlotte won’t take on the contracts of Chandler and Anderson.
I think Kemba & Hill are too old for Phoenix, they just don’t fit their timetable. Would they be happy waiting 2-3 for the team to be relevant? Don’t think so. They need to look into younger PG’s.
Yes cesc. This is why the Nets make more sense. I don’t want them to trade Dinwiddie for scraps but if they can get a JJ(speak into existence) they should pull the trigger. Din recently turned 25 which isn’t 22 but also isn’t 29 or 33. He can score it (12.6/ppg) and create (6.6/apg) allowing Booker to spot up more. They’ll probably have to take Bender and a protected 1st in which case maybe don’t do it but Marks may still do it. He likes gathering picks and if he can get a 2020 or 21 lottery protected pick and give Atkinson Bender to develop he’ll see it as a win imo.