Miles Bridges acknowledges the mixed feelings of many Suns fans about his offseason trade arrival to join Phoenix.
Miles Bridges completely understands the negative perception surrounding his trade arrival to the Phoenix Suns in this year's offseason, but he made it clear that he is already making necessary efforts to improve himself as a person.
In his first press conference with the franchise on Wednesday, Bridges addressed his reputation and full acknowledgement of many Suns fans' doubts regarding his scandalous off-court dealings from the past.
"It's mixed feelings about me being here," Bridges told reporters. "But I take full responsibility for my actions. I've been to counseling, I've been to therapy. Right now, I'm prioritizing just being better as a man every day, on and off the court -- mainly off the court.
"Just being a great father and earning the trust of the fanbase and this community. I can't wait to get started. I'm very excited."
Suns carefully examined Miles Bridges off-court scandal before trade
The Phoenix Suns landed Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets along with a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, sending Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and a 2033 first-round pick in return.
Bringing in Bridges became one of the Suns’ key offseason moves under general manager Brian Gregory. And while the executive acknowledged Bridges’ history involving domestic violence, he emphasized that Phoenix carefully reviewed every aspect of the trade.
In 2022, Bridges physically assaulted his partner, Mychelle Johnson, in front of their two young children. The attack left Johnson with a concussion, a broken nose, a rib contusion, and neck strain from being choked.
Bridges avoided jail time by pleading no contest to one felony count of domestic violence, resulting in three years of probation. But the NBA suspended him for 30 games without pay, requiring him to sit out the first 10 games of the 2023–24 season to complete the penalty after sitting out the previous full season as an unsigned free agent.
"I acknowledged those questions and the concern surrounding Miles and his unacceptable conduct that has occurred in the past. Those questions are part of his story. He's dealt with them before and we'll deal with them today as well. I think those questions we are aware of and knew about, and that's also why we took this decision so seriously during the process and when we made it," Gregory argued.
"Miles has taken responsibility for his actions. He's shown remorse, gone through counseling, and is continually doing things for his personal growth. He has also made a commitment to become the best man and best father that he can be.
"I have no question that he understands the responsibility of our organization's expectations and values. We will hold him accountable to the same high standards as everybody who is part of the Phoenix Suns organization."
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