A trade first reported on June 28 is now officially complete. The Phoenix Suns have sent Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick.
In a statement from the team:
“Miles has established himself as a highly productive player whose game continues to evolve,” said Suns general manager Brian Gregory. “His
elite athleticism, strength and versatility allow him to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He embodies the grit, competitiveness and work ethic that fit our identity, and we’re excited to welcome him to Phoenix.”
“We also want to thank Grayson and Royce for the impact they made in Phoenix,” added Gregory. “Both played important roles in helping us build our foundation, and we appreciate everything they brought to our team. We wish them and their families all the best.”
There was a bit of a holdup because several other transactions had to be completed before the Suns and Hornets deal could become official. The entire sequence ultimately came down to one player, Mouhamadou Gueye. Gueye signed with the Chicago Bulls on April 9, which meant he could not be traded until six months after his acquisition. That date is today, July 9.
Here is how the dominoes fell.
The Timberwolves, Nets, and Bulls agreed to a deal that sent Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft (Joshua Jefferson), to Brooklyn. In return, Minnesota acquired the No. 33 pick (Isaiah Evans) from the Nets and Mouhamadou Gueye from the Bulls. Chicago received Nic Claxton.
The Hornets also agreed to send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks.
Both transactions were put on hold because of Gueye’s trade restriction. Once eligible to be moved, Minnesota completed its deal, which opens the financial pathway to acquire Ball and Green from Charlotte. That, in turn, clears the way for the Hornets to acquire Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale from Phoenix.
From the Suns’ perspective, this was about more than simply acquiring Miles Bridges. By sending out Allen and O’Neale, who combined to make $29 million, and bringing back Bridges at $22.8 million, Phoenix reduced its payroll by approximately $6.2 million, $6,173,913 to be exact. Before the trade, the Suns carried a payroll of roughly $215 million, placing them about $6 million above the first apron. They needed to create room if they wanted access to the mid-level exception.
The Bridges trade accomplished exactly that.
Phoenix now sits at approximately $208.1 million in team salary, seeing as Jamaree Bouyea’s contract is not guaranteed until January 10. The first apron is $209 million. What did that create? Hello, Luke Kennard. The Suns will be able to use the taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Kennard to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with a player option in the second season. It’s a pretty impressive bit of cap gymnastics by the front office. And to think, the entire sequence was delayed because the Bulls signed Mouhamadou Gueye last April.
So now it is official. Miles Bridges is with the Phoenix Suns. A player the organization has had its eyes on for the past couple of years. Will it work? We’ll find out next season.
