The Charlotte Hornets are trading Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
This is the second big trade the Hornets have made in three days after sending All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. The Hornets also agreed to a three-year $74 million deal to keep Coby White.
Bridges played a big role in helping the Hornets come within one play-in victory of ending a playoff drought that dates to 2016. Bridges was a popular veteran leader for a young Hornets core and did a lot of the small things to help Ball, Brandon Miller and rookie Kon Knueppel became more of the offensive focal points.
The Hornets won 44 games last season after having 19 victories the season before. They were 11-23 on Jan. 2 but won 32 of the next 45 games. From Jan. 1 to the end of the regular season, the Hornets had the top-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense in the NBA with Bridges providing a lot of Charlotte's toughness inside.
Despite a decrease in his usage, Bridges averaged 17.1 points and 5.8 rebounds last season. By trading the 28-year-old veteran, the Hornets save $20 million in luxury tax while opening up a roster spot entering free agency.
The Hornets add key veterans in Allen and O'Neale in addition to the Suns' unprotected first-round pick in 2033. The first-round pick the Hornets are sending out will be the least favorable among Charlotte, Utah, Cleveland and Minnesota's selection in 2029.
Bridges has played for Charlotte his whole career since being drafted out of Michigan State and traded to the Hornets by the Clippers. He joins a Suns organization that is filled with Michigan State ties from owner Mat Ishbia to GM Brian Gregory to head coach Jordan Ott.
Bridges missed the entirety of the 2022-23 season and part of the 2023-24 season due to suspension following a plea of no-contest for felony domestic abuse.
Bridges has one year left on the free agent deal he signed in 2024.