\u201cI\u2019ve been at rock bottom before, and I\u2019ve had to work my way up to where I am now,\u201d Bridges said. \u201cI can\u2019t pinpoint one thing that I\u2019ve learned. It\u2019s just a lot of things that I learned about life in general.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next stop for LeBron should be…<\/p>\n
David Aldridge, Joe Vardon and more<\/p>\n
Second chances (Bridges might be on his third if charges from another domestic incident weren\u2019t dropped in 2024<\/a>) are complicated because the opinion of who deserves one and who doesn\u2019t is not universal. Part of the Phoenix fanbase thinks Bridges has paid his debt and it\u2019s time to move on. Others aren\u2019t close to that point and may never reach it.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why Wednesday was a necessary step. A chance for everyone to hear Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory explain the organization\u2019s reasoning and steep cost behind the Bridges trade. And for Bridges to explain why he was worth the backlash, no matter how big or small.<\/p>\n In his second year as GM, Gregory didn\u2019t dance. He called Bridges\u2019 previous conduct unacceptable and said questions about it were \u201cpart of his story.\u201d He said the Suns will hold him to the highest standards. And he said there will be no wavering. \u201cWe also recognize that trust is not given, that it\u2019s earned,\u201d Gregory said.<\/p>\n He also acknowledged the shared Michigan State background was a factor in the decision, which is something this organization has not always done. Owner and Michigan State alum Mat Ishbia has hired several people (Gregory, head coach Jordan Ott, developmental coach Mateen Cleaves) with Sparty ties. But it annoys him when people suggest it\u2019s a major factor in his basketball decision-making. In this case, the relationship helped.<\/p>\n Gregory worked as a consultant on Tom Izzo\u2019s staff during Bridges\u2019 first college season. He recalled sitting in Izzo\u2019s office before the 2017 NCAA Tournament when Bridges entered and informed them he planned on returning to school for his sophomore season. \u201cCoach Izzo almost fell out of his chair,\u201d said Gregory, adding that Bridges would\u2019ve been a first-round NBA Draft pick had he decided to leave.<\/p>\n The larger point: \u201cThat helped us in the fact that I know who Miles Bridges is as a person,\u201d Gregory said of their shared season together. \u201cI know all his mentors from Flint, Michigan. Every single one of them. I know his coaches at Huntington Prep. I have a pretty good relationship with his college coach. (That history) was beneficial in our decision process.\u201d<\/p>\n \n Suns GM Brian Gregory dubbed Miles Bridges (right) \u201ca perfect fit for us.\u201d (Jacob Kupferman \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Gregory said he also talked with coaches in Charlotte, where Bridges played for seven seasons, averaging 15.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. The main things he wanted to know: Did Bridges show accountability? Did he show remorse? Did he grow as a person? Ultimately, Gregory said the organization was convinced Bridges was a solid cultural fit and character fit. After they considered the basketball part<\/a>, Gregory said the Suns weren\u2019t just comfortable with the idea of adding Bridges; they were excited.<\/p>\n \u201cA perfect fit for us,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cObviously, everything we\u2019re about as a team \u2014 the grit, the energy, the toughness that we play with, the competitiveness \u2014 Miles Bridges brings that every single day, every time he walks onto the court. That\u2019s exactly who he is.\u201d<\/p>\n A local sports columnist asked if Ishbia should have attended the news conference given the sensitivity of the situation. Gregory said he talks with Ishbia and CEO Josh Bartelstein daily. But he added: \u201cI\u2019m in charge of all the basketball decisions that are being made.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269587867-scaled.jpg\")
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