Age: 20 (3/21/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 225 pounds, 6’9″
Slash Line: .463/.369/.883
Season Averages: 31.2 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.0 3PM
Assuming the 2018 NBA Draft goes this way, the Phoenix Suns will have franchise players at shooting guard and center. Phoenix also has a competition at power forward between Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss, and a productive point guard in Elfrid Payton.
I’m not entirely sold on Payton being the point guard of the future, but Miles Bridges is too clearly the best player available for this pick to go anywhere else.
Bridges is undersized for the forward positions, but he’s a bruising scorer with a modern skill set and explosive leaping ability. He’s dramatically improved his offensive skill set, including a tightened handle, a cleaner release off the bounce, and a more than respectable midrange game.
Bridges is also an excellent passer who’s comfortable handling the ball and setting his teammates up for open looks in the half court or transition.
What rounds Bridges’ draft stock into form is his versatility on the defensive end of the floor. T.J. Warren may be the better scorer, but Bridges is a more well-rounded player and projects to be a significantly better defender than Warren, who ranks amongst the worst in the NBA in that regard.
It’s possible that the Suns will select a point guard instead, but Bridges is the best player available and the versatile defender whom Phoenix needs along the wings.
Knicks Note: The New York Knicks are reportedly high on Miles Bridges. If Mikal Bridges is off the board, he could be the pick.