By injecting elite size and athleticism into the perimeter, the versatile forward allows Phoenix to switch defensive sets and physically overwhelm opponents through sheer brute force.
A very interesting season is in store for the Phoenix Suns in 2026-27.
One piece of the intrigue resides in just how effectively incoming forward Miles Bridges will fit into his new surroundings.
Whether Bridges' best days are behind him or not is up for debate, but there are clear positives that the 2018 lottery pick brings to the table.
An anonymous NBA scout revealed Phoenix's biggest strength with Bridges in the fold to Liam McKeone of SI.
“Bridges is one of those guys that passes the eye test.. Analytics test, he's not as strong. But I think he'll help the Suns just with the size. They're going to be a pretty big, physical team on the perimeter. So I would expect him to be able to switch and guard some bigger guys with him, Brooks, even Booker's not slight... So Bridges adds quite a bit of the same to that, so they'll be pretty hard to attack with your small-small stuff."
The lack of general depth at the center position is now clear (especially in light of Mark Williams' injury), but the overall size and athleticism is receiving a major boost with the addition of Bridges.
Phoenix now rosters five players between 6'7"-6'9" and between 215-245 pounds. This inherently gifts head coach Jordan Ott and his staff much more flexibility to get creative with defensive sets, offensive play-calling, and rotations. The concept of running second-year Rasheer Fleming at the two, starter Dillon Brooks at the three, and rookie Koa Peat at the four is nearly as difficult to believe as it is enticing.
There is a true potential for Phoenix to win games simply off of the virtue of wearing opponents down on a nightly basis. There is a non-zero chance that Phoenix re-shapes their offensive philosophy in the season ahead. An increase in rim pressure and off-ball movement should result in more free throws, as well as winning many of the crucial counting stats it takes to reign victorious in a game.
There are definite questions that arise in rostering Bridges. The biggest of which is the perception that Phoenix is opting to trade off being a high-level three-point shooting team for an upgrade around other margins.
The losses of Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale will surely be felt at some points, but the Suns roster several players that are just a few makes away from flipping the script - as far as their perceptions as shooters go.
The moral of the story is that much of the impact the Bridges is poised to provide to the Suns resides in his physicality. It's unlikely that the Michigan State product will ever be an analytics darling, but he does have the makings of a player that still has a clear avenue to providing winning value.
Bridges' debut as a Sun is shaping up to be on Oct. 5 against the Detroit Pistons in preseason play.
