PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges appears to be a good fit for his new team on the basketball court, giving it a beefy frontcourt presence who has scored at a high level over seven NBA seasons.The problem is his troublesome off-the-court history — including pleading no contest to a felony domestic violence charge in 2022 — has mostly overshadowed his arrival.The 28-year-old Bridges said he’s very aware that some Suns fans aren’t thrilled that he’s now with the franchise.“It’s mixed feelings about me being here,” Bridges 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.”The Suns acquired Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for guard Grayson Allen, foward Royce O’Neale and a 2033 first-round pick in a trade on June 28.
Gregory, Bridges have long relationshipSuns general manager Brian Gregory said the franchise felt comfortable bringing Bridges to the desert despite his “unacceptable conduct that has occurred in the past.” Gregory’s relationship with Bridges goes back roughly a decade to when the GM was a consultant at Michigan State and Bridges was a freshman with the Spartans. The Suns’ ties with the Michigan State are 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.Gregory said he’s confident that Bridges has grown since his arrest, but that he would have to earn the trust of the Suns’ fans.
