PHOENIX SUNS

‘No hard feelings’: After trade from 76ers, Bridges ‘happy’ to join Suns

Jun 21, 2018, 9:31 PM | Updated: Jun 22, 2018, 10:42 am

Villanova's Mikal Bridges leaves the stage after he was picked 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76e...

Villanova's Mikal Bridges leaves the stage after he was picked 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA basketball draft in New York, Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)

(AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)

PHOENIX – Draft night is always busy, especially for those players on location in Brooklyn waiting to hear their name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

Villanova guard/forward Mikal Bridges’ evening may have been a bit busier than most.

Selected 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, Bridges had just finished speaking to the media about playing for his hometown team when he was informed he had been traded, shipped clear across the country to Arizona and the Phoenix Suns.

“I mean, it’s a business,” he said on a conference call with Valley reporters. “It’s a blessing to be in this position, be in the NBA. I mean, there’s no hard feelings. It’s not like I was supposed to go to the Sixers. I’m happy I’m here. I can’t wait to (join) the team to get this going.”

On the clock for the 16th overall pick, and reportedly prepared to draft Bridges’ college teammate Donte DiVincenzo, the Suns received a call from the Sixers with a proposed trade.

A deal was struck quickly. The Suns would draft Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith and then send Smith’s draft rights plus the 2021 first-round draft pick owed to them via Miami to the Sixers for Bridges, a two-time national champion at Villanova who fits the mold of a 3-and-D wing.

“A guy who’s going to take a lot of pride in defense and can really shoot the ball, run the floor; do anything that the team needs him to do,” Bridges said, when asked to describe his game.

This season, Bridges, listed at 6-foot-7 and 210-pounds, ranked 18th in the nation in three-point accuracy at 43.5 percent. He averaged 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 40 games on the way to winning the Julius Erving Award as the country’s top small forward.

Heading west may be a bit of an adjustment for Bridges. The good news is he’s not coming alone.

Bridges and fellow first-round draft pick Deandre Ayton, selected No. 1 overall, are good friends. They developed a relationship this offseason.

Other than Ayton, Bridges is somewhat familiar with the Suns.

“I just know there’s young guys. I know Devin Booker is unbelievable. You got Josh Jackson. I watched them a little bit and I’m excited,” he said. “I know how they play, they go up-and-down. They play a little small ball and I’m excited to be here.”

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

11 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

16 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

‘No hard feelings’: After trade from 76ers, Bridges ‘happy’ to join Suns