The Phoenix Suns made a significant move yesterday, Sunday, June 28, 2026, acquiring forward Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick from the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Hornets received guards Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and a highly coveted unprotected 2033 first-round pick. This blockbuster deal immediately sparked debate across the league, with analysts sharply divided on its implications for both franchises, particularly for a Suns team desperately seeking to elevate its playoff ceiling around superstar Devin Booker.

For the Suns, the trade brings a much-needed athletic forward who can attack the rim and provide a secondary scoring punch. However, the cost – especially the unprotected 2033 first-round pick – raises serious questions about Phoenix’s long-term viability and their ability to rebuild once their current core ages out. The Hornets, on the other hand, continued their aggressive asset accumulation, turning an expiring contract into a potentially franchise-altering draft pick, further solidifying their rebuild around young talents like Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller.

Phoenix Suns Add Miles Bridges, But At What Cost?

The Suns’ acquisition of Miles Bridges addresses a clear need for a strong, versatile forward. Bridges, 28, averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game across 77 contests in the 2025-26 season. Over his last four seasons, his averages stand at 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with shooting splits of 46.2/33.1/82.8. He excels at driving into the paint, scoring around the rim, and playing off-ball, making him a valuable asset for a team that needs more interior pressure.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia, a Michigan State alum like Bridges, reportedly coveted the forward for some time. Bridges’ ability to score in isolation and in the pick-and-roll offers a new dimension to the Suns’ offense, which has seen Devin Booker regress as a 3-point shooter to 33.1 percent over the last two years. While Bridges is not a floor-stretching shooter, his presence should create more opportunities for others by drawing help defense.

However, the trade introduces a significant concern regarding the Suns’ outside shooting. With Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale departing, the roster’s perimeter threats are diminished. Collin Gillespie, who just re-signed, and Jordan Goodwin (37.1 percent from outside last season) are solid, but Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks are not considered consistent outside shooters. This shift suggests a greater emphasis on rim pressure and defensive size for the upcoming season.

Financially, the Suns shaved approximately 6.2 million USD in team salary, which translates to about 30 million USD in luxury tax savings. This was a clear motivation, though the team remains about 10.3 million USD above the tax line. The acquired 2029 first-round pick is the least favorable of Utah, Minnesota, and Cleveland’s selections, and is top-5 protected, making it a low-end asset compared to the pick they surrendered.

Charlotte Hornets Continue Aggressive Rebuild with Future Picks

The Charlotte Hornets continued their dramatic offseason overhaul, just days after trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This latest move sends Bridges, who was entering the final year of his contract, to Phoenix, preventing the Hornets from facing a potentially regrettable long-term deal or losing him for nothing in 2027 free agency. The Hornets received Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and a highly valuable unprotected 2033 first-round pick from the Suns.

This trade aligns with Charlotte’s strategy to build around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, granting head coach Charles Lee more versatility, outside shooting, and financial flexibility. Allen, despite an injury-affected 2025-26 season where he shot 34.9 percent from deep, boasts a career 40-percent-plus 3-point shooting average and shot 41.9 percent in his previous six seasons. O’Neale also provides strong perimeter shooting, hitting over 40 percent from deep last season and nearly 39 percent for his career. The Hornets also drafted Christian Anderson, a top shooter in this year’s draft.

The true prize for Charlotte is the unprotected 2033 first-round pick. This adds to an already impressive haul of draft capital, including another unprotected 2033 pick from the Minnesota deal, a top-2 protected 2027 pick from Dallas, and a lottery-protected 2027 selection from Miami that becomes unprotected in 2028. As one source noted, the Hornets are effectively ‘shorting four different teams,’ increasing their odds of landing a high-value pick if any of those franchises falter in the coming years.

With Naz Reid, acquired in the Ball trade, presumed to start at power forward, the Boost Scoring After Playoff Exit is not a concern for Charlotte. Reid is considered a better fit and his value is not tied to a single playmaker, unlike Bridges’ efficiency drop without Ball on the court. The Hornets are now among the most asset-rich teams in the NBA, armed with significant draft capital and financial flexibility to take on bad contracts for more picks.

The High Cost of Phoenix’s Mortgaged Future

While the Suns gained an immediate contributor in Miles Bridges, the long-term implications of surrendering an unprotected 2033 first-round pick are monumental. This pick is considered one of the most valuable trade assets in the NBA, especially as lottery reforms expire after 2029, making future draft rules uncertain. The market for such picks has been set by recent blockbuster deals: the Miami Heat used a 2030s pick to acquire two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Minnesota Timberwolves traded a 2033 pick for one of the most talented guards in the league, LaMelo Ball.

Phoenix, in contrast, traded a similar asset for a player on an expiring contract who turns 29 next March. This decision has drawn sharp criticism, with some analysts assigning the Suns a D grade for the trade. The Suns’ control over their own draft picks is now severely limited; they have no control over their first-round picks through 2033, except for swaps in 2027, 2028, and 2030, and their own frozen 2032 first-rounder due to exceeding the second apron in 2024-25.

This lack of draft capital severely hampers the Suns’ ability to rebuild or retool around Devin Booker, who will be 37 in the 2032-33 season. The franchise has essentially mortgaged its future for a cycle of competence that many believe will not be enough to contend for a championship in the increasingly competitive Western Conference. The Suns finished last season as a Play-In Tournament team and were decisively beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Finals 2026.

The value of deep future picks lies in their ‘variability’ and the chance to be a No. 1 overall selection, as Jazz general manager Justin Zanik noted when his team acquired the Suns’ 2031 pick. That pick later became the cornerstone for acquiring All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. The 2033 pick given up by Phoenix carries even more uncertainty and potential upside for the Hornets, who are now armed with significant leverage for future trades.

Bridges’ Fit and the Suns’ Western Conference Challenge

Miles Bridges brings athleticism and scoring versatility, but his impact on the Suns’ playoff ceiling remains a significant question mark. His true shooting percentage dropped from 60.8 percent with LaMelo Ball on the court to 51.1 percent without him, according to Databallr. The Suns do not have an elite playmaker like Ball to consistently set Bridges up, which could limit his efficiency.

The Western Conference is a gauntlet. The Suns saw firsthand that they are not in the same universe as teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder. The San Antonio Spurs are rapidly ascending, and other contenders like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers were meaningfully better than Phoenix last season. Even the Portland Trail Blazers could improve significantly if they acquire a star like Jaylen Brown.

While Bridges might move the Suns from 40 wins to perhaps 42, he does not appear to be the piece that elevates them to a conference finals contender. The team’s reliance on defense and effort, which fueled a feel-good season after the implosion of 2024-25, will be harder to sustain without significant talent upgrades. The minimal reward for the monumental risk of trading away a valuable future pick highlights the Suns’ precarious position. The Suns’ current strategy seems to be one of confusing motion for progress, as they continue to sacrifice future flexibility for incremental present-day improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What players were involved in the Suns-Hornets trade?

The Phoenix Suns acquired Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick (least favorable of Jazz, Timberwolves, Cavaliers, top-5 protected), and a 2027 second-round pick (least favorable of BOS/ORL). The Charlotte Hornets received Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick.

Why did the Hornets trade Miles Bridges?

The Hornets traded Miles Bridges as part of a broader rebuilding strategy. With Bridges entering the final year of his contract, the Hornets aimed to avoid paying him a potentially large new contract or losing him for no assets in free agency. They are focusing on building around young players like Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller and accumulating significant draft capital, including multiple unprotected future first-round picks.

What are the main concerns for the Suns after this trade?