Key facts
- The Charlotte Hornets have traded Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns.
- The deal also involves draft picks: Charlotte sends a 2029 first-round and 2027 second-round pick, while receiving a 2033 first-round pick.
- Phoenix acquires Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in the trade.
- This move is part of a larger offseason restructuring for the Hornets, following the trade of LaMelo Ball.
- The Hornets aim to build around a younger core, prioritizing shooting and spacing.
The Charlotte Hornets are continuing their offseason roster overhaul by trading forward Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns. According to reports, the Hornets sent Bridges, a 2029 first-round draft pick, and a 2027 second-round pick to Phoenix. In exchange, Charlotte received guard Grayson Allen, forward Royce O’Neale, and a 2033 first-round pick.
This move follows closely on the heels of the Hornets trading star point guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. These transactions signal a significant restructuring of the team's direction, with a focus on accumulating future assets and building around a younger core, including Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
The Hornets appear to be prioritizing shooting, spacing, and defensive versatility, with Allen and O’Neale bringing proven three-point shooting and defensive capabilities. By trading Bridges, who was entering the final year of his contract, Charlotte sheds salary and tenure while acquiring veteran role players and a valuable long-term draft asset.
For the Suns, the acquisition of Bridges, a 28-year-old athletic forward, addresses a long-standing target and provides more athleticism on the wing. The deal also offers the Suns significant tax savings and roster flexibility ahead of free agency.