Phoenix Suns: Complete 2018 offseason grades

Trading up for Mikal Bridges

With the No. 16 pick in the draft, it was originally reported that the Phoenix Suns were taking Donte DiVincenzo. Then, right at the buzzer, McDonough said the offer from the Philadelphia 76ers came through. The Suns wound up sending the 16th overall pick — which was used on Zhaire Smith — to Philly, along with Phoenix’s 2021 unprotected first round pick from the Miami Heat.

In return, the Suns were getting one of the safest and surest wings in the draft class, Mikal Bridges, who was taken at No. 10. Bridges has the exact 3-and-D skill-set Phoenix needs to spread the floor for Devin Booker and also cover for his defensive flaws.

That Heat pick could wind up being valuable, but it’s almost impossible to know at this point. Miami could easily retool and that pick drops to a late first-rounder. As good of an unknown asset as it was, trading the selection and Phoenix’s own 16th overall pick was worth it to nab another promising rookie for the young core who can also contribute right away.

Bridges underwhelmed in Summer League, averaging 6.2 points in 20 minutes per game. However, he shot 45.5 percent from the floor and converted 40 percent of his looks from downtown over three years at Villanova — including 43.5 percent on 6.0 attempts per game during the Wildcats’ championship run last year.

Bridges will “already” be 22 by the time the season starts, but he’s a reliable 3-point shooter and should be a quality wing defender with the ability to defend multiple positions. That’s the exact type of player the Suns would’ve hoped to get from that 2021 Heat pick, only they didn’t have to wait three more years to get him, and it’s far better than what Phoenix would’ve gotten at No. 16.

In any case, emerging from the draft with two top-10 picks should be considered a victory for the Suns.

Grade: A-