Phoenix Suns: Roles for Mikal Bridges this season

2. Sixth man

Another spot the Phoenix Suns can put Mikal Bridges is coming off the bench as the team’s number one option.

That would allow the forward to gain his minutes on a regular basis, while doing so as an integral part of the team. Last season, Bridges averaged 29.5 minutes a game and being able to maintain similar numbers in 2019-20 will help his growth heading into his sophomore campaign.

This then would also allow the Suns to run with a starting five of veteran players consisting of Ricky Rubio-Devin Booker-Kelly Oubre-Dario Saric–Deandre Ayton. That would give the Suns an experienced group, with scoring options on every part of the floor.

It would be the best starting five the franchise has had in a number of years.

While Bridges impact last season mostly came from the defensive side of the ball, becoming the sixth man would allow him to improve on his offensive tool kit.

Despite only averaging 8.3 points per game last season, Bridges was among the team leaders in effective field goal percentage (52.3 percent) among qualified starters. That came on around seven field goal attempts per game, which could increase with a heightened role next season.

And at 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds, Bridges has the frame to play the one to three with little to no risk for the Suns. That will allow him to carve out minutes in many facets for team.

Bridges has shown his defensive prowess is among the best in the league and provides a switchable defender for any position.  That only adds to his value for Phoenix as others on the team’s bench aren’t exactly known for their defensive abilities.