Miles Bridges trade: Pros, cons of deal for Phoenix Suns, other teams before NBA deadline

When I was younger and I had a big decision to make, I received advice to make a list of the pros and cons of the course of action I was contemplating taking and then weigh each to decide what to do.

The Phoenix Suns, or any NBA team thinking about trading for the Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges, could be well served by doing the same.

What are the pros of trading for Bridges before the 2024 NBA trade deadline? What are the cons?

Do the pros outweigh the cons or do the cons outweigh the pros?

Here are some reasons why an NBA team like the Suns should trade for Bridges and some reasons why they should not.

More: Phoenix Suns trade deadline rumors, speculation: Miles Bridges not only trade candidate

Pros of trading for Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges is young

He's just 25 years old, so he could be in the NBA for a very long time.

Miles Bridges can play basketball

The forward is averaging 21.3 points per game this season, 7.2 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. He is shooting 45.8% from the field.

More: Smoke intensifies around controversial but feasible Suns trade for Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges would help your team be better

His talent is undeniable and the stats above show that he can put up numbers and help a team win, given the right situation.

Miles Bridges wouldn't cost a lot of money

Bridges is on an expiring contract worth $7.9 million, which is really nothing in terms of NBA contracts and the Hornets could be looking to get something, anything really, for him before he leaves the team in free agency.

More: Phoenix Suns are interested in Miles Bridges. Here are the trade challenges

Cons of trading for Miles Bridges

It might be hard to sign Miles Bridges to a long-term deal

The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin broke down the contract situation with Bridges: "If traded, Bridges will lose his Bird rights. He’s looking for a lucrative, long-term deal after this season, something the Suns can’t really do because of their tax situation. Phoenix is $21.5 million over the luxury tax this season and have an excepted tax bill of $50.6 million. The Suns will still have Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal under contract next season for nearly $150 million alone as Booker’s supermax deal kicks in next season. That’s why Bridges would be viewed as a “rental” for the Suns this season. He has veto rights on any trade. Bridges loses his Bird rights if traded, but can still get paid, like really paid, if he goes to a team with big-time cap space like say the Pistons or Jazz."

Miles Bridges brings baggage

The Republic's Greg Moore summed up Bridges' previous off-the-court issues: "In June of 2022, Bridges pleaded no contest to brutal domestic violence charges after the mother of his two children said he broke her nose, bruised her ribs, gave her a concussion and choked her until she passed out in front of their kids. He was given a three-year probation and suspended 30 games by the NBA."

More: Trading for Miles Bridges should be easy decision for Phoenix Suns. Here's why it's not

There might be more baggage with Miles Bridges

Moore continued, writing about how Bridges' off-court issues are not over: "Then in October 2023, he was charged in another assault. He’s accused of throwing billiard balls at his now ex-partner's car, smashing the windshield, while she and the kids were inside. Meanwhile, his new girlfriend was said to have been screaming at his ex and kicking her vehicle. He’s also accused of telling his ex that if she reported him, he wouldn’t pay her child support. Bridges is due in court on this second case on Feb. 20. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday."

Miles Bridges trade could prompt outrage from fans

When news of the Suns potentially being interested in Bridges broke, fans flooded social media in outrage, with some saying they would stop supporting the Suns if they traded for him. The PR nightmare of a team trading for Bridges certainly has to be taken into consideration. And it could really be a nightmare.

'I'll stop supporting team': Phoenix Suns' Miles Bridges trade rumor brings fan outrage

Weighing the pros and cons of a Miles Bridges trade

So, it appears that Miles Bridges could really help a team win, including the Phoenix Suns. His on-court ability and talent are undeniable, and he might not be too expensive in a trade before Thursday's deadline.

But, the off-court issues with Bridges have to be taken into consideration, and there definitely are some issues and there would definitely be some PR backlash for making such a move, in addition to Bridges likely being on your team for just the rest of this season.

Would you like to see your team trade for Bridges after weighing the pros and cons of doing so?

More: Should Phoenix Suns make a move or stay put as NBA trade deadline approaches?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Miles Bridges trade: Weighing pros, cons of NBA trade deadline deal