Story perspectives

Suns acquire Miles Bridges in blockbuster trade deal

6/29/2026

Summary

Suns Acquire Bridges

April 12, 2026, Phoenix Suns traded Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick to Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 pick.
Fans praised the trade, which ESPN analyst Zach Kram rated D+ for defense.
He pleaded no contest to a domestic-violence charge, served suspension, signed $22 million 2027 contract which Suns plan to extend, and averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Summary

Suns Trim Payroll

The Suns' deal trims about $6.2 million in salary and avoids roughly $30 million in luxury-tax penalties for the 2026-27 season.
Moving Bridges’ $22.8 million expiring contract frees cap space, creates a roster spot, and aligns the Hornets’ payroll with their younger core.
Charlotte receives an unprotected 2033 first-round pick that could become a lottery selection, while the 2029 first-rounder the Hornets send is the least-favorable of Utah, Cleveland and Minnesota.

Summary

Suns’ Pick

The Suns’ 2031 draft pick, which they traded to Utah, later yielded All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jazz general manager Justin Zanik called that pick the market’s most valuable asset.
NBA lottery reforms ending after 2029 increase the value of deep-future picks.
Charlotte secured the 2033 pick for roughly $6 million extra salary while keeping $50 million in cap space.
Perceived Phoenix collapse gives the Hornets up to seven years to leverage the pick.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, overseen by Commissioner David Stern, added a luxury-tax penalty to curb overspending. The tax threshold has risen, reaching $61.7 million in 2005-06 when the New York Knicks paid $62.3 million in tax. That framework guides today’s Phoenix Suns move to trim $6.2 million and stay below the roughly $30 million luxury-tax line.

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Suns Acquire Bridges

April 12, 2026, Phoenix Suns traded Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick to Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 pick.
Fans praised the trade, which ESPN analyst Zach Kram rated D+ for defense.
He pleaded no contest to a domestic-violence charge, served suspension, signed $22 million 2027 contract which Suns plan to extend, and averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

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